Information Development

Public libraries are no longer seen as crucial to development in Africa. Librarians are therefore re-examining their own relevance to development and are proposing that the establishment of rural information centres to serve the needs of the 80 percent of Africa's population living in rural areas. Examines the underlying factors that determine the success or failure of such centres. Identifies two types of rural information centre: those managed by the local community and those forming part of a public library system. Reviews the historical development of such centres in Africa and elsewhere and questions whether rural communities need information. Considers information transfer mechanisms in rural communities, the need for trained information manpower and the problems of attaining sustainability of information provision.

The majority of public libraries in Zimbabwe remain legacies of the colonial era. Their stock is composed largely of donations which are frequently out-of-date or irrelevant. However, a number of initiatives are attempting to provide an appropriate service to both urban and rural communities. Emphasis is on books in the vernacular, follow-up materials for new literates and encouraging both children and adults to read for pleasure. The projects discussed highlight the importance of providing library services in appropriate locations, of talking to communities to discover their true book and information needs and the value of volunteers. These successful initiatives are set against the difficulties of the National Library and Documentation Service plans and its problems in reaching the less privileged members of society.

Budget cuts coupled with increased costs involved in the application of technology in information processing and dissemination have required libraries and information centres to turn to information marketing. The concept of marketing has a utilitarian value as a good management tool to target and offer streamlined information services to the clients of a library or information centre. Since the main objective of marketing of library type data is not profit maximization, but being socially responsive, the concepts of pure marketing have to be somewhat modified to be applicable to this sector. An extensive literature on marketing for the non-profit sector already exists, though not for bibliographic data. Provides a perspective on information marketing using the Development Information Network South Asia (DEVINSA) as a case study. Hemamalee Geethananda is Chief Librarian and DEVINSA Project Leader, Marga Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Stresses the need for library and information professionals to adopt a pro-active approach in marketing their services in the context of basic marketing principles, in order to achieve the ultimate aim of serving both actual and potential users of such services, with special reference to sub-Saharan Africa.

Reviews the problems of implementing information technology projects in developing countries, with examples from Ethiopia, the Sudan and Tanzania. Considers the advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM as a means of solving some of the problems of access to information experienced by developing countries, and describes the experience of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia in introducing CD-ROM search services to complement existing online search facilities. Reactions of users and staff to CD-ROM are described. Concludes that, through its ability to provide appropriate information conveniently and quickly, CD-ROM may come to play a major role in the process of development of the Third World.

Edited version of a paper presented at the conference: 'Information for the nation: appropriate technologies for information transfer' of the South African Institute for Library and Information Science in September 1992. For many South African librarians, appropriate technology means affordable technology. Part of the library community in the country has been preoccupied with expensive state-of-the-art information technology. Small information centres can use electronic bulletin boards to participate in local bulletin board networks linking a wide range of libraries and information centres in specific areas. Possible applications of such a system are outlined.

Report on a survey of library use by journalists working on eight newspapers published in Kerala, India. Examines: the reasons why journalists use the libraries of their newspapers; how they use the information they obtain; which types of library materials they use, and how often; what other sources of information they use, and how often; how often they visit the library and for how long; how long they have to wait to obtain the information they need, and who searches for it. There were significant differences in the patterns of use of the library by senior editorial staff and staff in other categories. Concludes that there is room for improvement in the collections and services of the libraries concerned.

Agricultural libraries in Zambia need to engage in interlibrary cooperation in order to alleviate the problems of resources scarcity and to improve accessibility of information. A survey of agricultural libraries showed that there were nineteen agricultural libraries in the country, of which only five engaged in interlibrary cooperation. As a result, there is probably duplication of information collections and limited access to information. A framework is suggested for improving accessibility of information and promoting interlibrary cooperation.

Most archival institutions in Africa have concentrated on historical records and are not involved with day-to-day records management. Problems of records management in Africa include: lack of resources; poor management; inappropriate staff and training; lack of tools and techniques. Suggested solutions include: more support from top management; change in attitudes among archivists; better staff and training; development of new tools and techniques; revision of archival legislation.