1. Knowledge without boundaries

2. What does the Perceptions Study tell us? Geoffrey Kimani, Director of Research and Insights, TNS RMS www.eifl.net

3. Research background Geographies: Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe Objective: to understand the awareness, perceptions, attitudes and actions towards public libraries of different target groups: central and local government officials, users, non users and librarians Time: 2011 January-June

4. Samples of respondents Category TotalKenyaUgandaTanzaniaGhanaZimbabweEthiopia Library users1990499498499494 Non users of libraries1201300 301300 Librarians283635048673520 Local level officials (operating libraries) 202303138144049 Local level officials (not operating libraries) 762119 2610 National level officials991920

5. Key findings

6. Libraries are important to individuals and communities Opinion of users Opinion of local government officials

7. Public libraries are actively used Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana Base (=total sample)1990499498499494 %%% Daily2733182729 Weekly54 596240 Monthly121016714 Every other month424310 Once or twice a year31116 Don't know1-201

8. Primary use of public libraries is educational Purpose of libraries by (users) Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana Base (=total sample)1990499498499494 %%% Educational purposes (for homework or to take a class)9194908695 National news or information3437363230 Local news or information2833342815 Entertainment2616192938 Information on health issue2018221722 International news or information151492212 To conduct a job search or write a CV1214 5 Loan books11122228 To look for information on starting or running a business10151466

9. But the benefits derived go beyond education Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana Base (=total sample)1990499498499494 %%% Developed new skills or learned something new8990939284 Obtained new ideas, new interests7881788073 Got helpful information for school/ learning7367718072 Experienced the library as safe and quiet place for study and reading 6763646773 Save time5552447155 Enjoyed the visits- have you felt comfortable in the library52 585148 Got helpful information for health and well being3631414726 Made contacts with other people3627354736 Got helpful information for business and commerce3138324310 Got helpful information about your community312630599 Be better in your job212431235

10. And the expectations of non users go beyond education Perceived purpose of libraries (non users) Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana Base (=total sample)1201300 301300 %%% Educational purposes (for homework or to take a class)9798949798 Local news or information5646657141 Information on health issue5549596548 National news or information5547576948 To help children do homework5139515064 Information on agriculture4945496042 Entertainment4323496634 It is safe place for my child to spend time4126375249 To look for information on starting or running a business3830355530

11. What users like and what they dislike about the libraries How users rate different library aspects

12. There is a need for technology 34% of library users in Ghana, who dissatisfied with library services say that they lack computers Only 24% of libraries surveyed have computers for users If budgets are increased, most librarians (81%) say equipment is the priority need. Of these, 70% would buy more computers, TV receivers, fax machines, telephones and printers 37% of librarians in Ghana feel they dont have sufficient skills to offer technology related services

13. Potential library users 75% of non users in Ghana are aware about the existence of library in their area. Increased access to online resources (20%) and computers (17%) would motivate non-users to start using the library Whether or not non-users intend to start using libraries 10

14. Priorities of local governments regarding libraries Total Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ghana Zim Ethio Base = (officials of local authorities that operate libraries) 202303138144049 Focus areas%%%% Provision of Computer services28233213436010 Equip the library with relevant books, CDs and DVDs2320291173527 Introduce a cyber cafe for the users/internet services162065431522 Increase the variety of new edition books and materials161729514288 Expand space to meet the increased number of readers11172318143- Provide advanced technologies9171052936 Provide books for college students and relevant to the current curriculum810 11-106 Have updated materials for all matters pertaining to education of all relevant fields71333-812

15. National officials strongly agree with the library helping to bridge the digital divide

16. Local government officials perceptions regarding the potential of libraries

17. Library potential Both local and national government officials recognize libraries potential to support policy strands outside what are perceived to be their core competences of education, literacy and culture The officials readily accept the notion that libraries could contribute in the areas of economic development, employment, health, agriculture and the digital divide

18. Thank you Geoffrey Kimani: g.kimani@research-int.com http://www.eifl.net/perception-study