Adult education in South African public libraries: A profile of activities

Nassimbeni, Mary; May, Bev

Adult education in South African public libraries: A profile of activities

Journal Article

2006

Journal Title

South African Journal of Library and Information Science

Link to Journal

http://sajlis.journals.ac.za/pub

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)

Abstract

This paper reports on the findings of a research investigation into the role of South African public libraries in adult education3. A questionnaire was distributed to 1295 public libraries for the collection of statistical and qualitative information in an attempt to build national and provincial profiles of adult education activities. There was a good response rate of 45.5%. The survey was complemented by site visits to eleven public libraries in order to illuminate the issues facing libraries in this field The results show that most public libraries do not participate at all in any adult education initiatives: 76.9% do not participate while 23.1% do. A profile of activities is presented. A case study of a single anonymous library is presented to provide an opportunity to understand the lived experience of the activities from the perspective of the providers and of the learners. The paper concludes by speculating on the reasons for the low level of engagement in an area that is theoretically espoused by the library community.