An exploratory study of government ministerial libraries in Maseru, Lesotho.
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Date
2004
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Abstract
The present study explores the status of government ministerial libraries in Maseru,
Lesotho, with the purpose of discovering the
factors which affect the growth and development of these libraries.
To provide a wider context within which to view this study literature dealing with government libraries
was examined. Nineteen government ministerial libraries were
chosen as a population for the study. However, only fourteen ministerial libraries were
eventually surveyed. Twenty library workers were interviewed using a structured
questionnaire as the
data collection instrument. The collected information was analysed manually.
The study established that there are very few laws and regulations that govern the
existence of libraries in Lesotho. The responses showed that even though there are
government ministerial policies they do not accommodate libraries. The majority of these
libraries do not get support from government for library material and therefore they
depend only on donations which are not adequate, most of the time, for the needs of the
users. The responses also revealed that the
majority of government libraries do not function in the way that fully-fledged
libraries do. The library workers revealed that the
educational standards of library workers in Lesotho are not satisfactory at all.
Among the staff of government libraries that were interviewed only five had a university
degree, two had a university diploma and two had university certificates. It was found that
some of the library services had not performed well becasue of one-man libraries and a
lack of qualified staff The responses from the interviews established that government
ministerial libraries in Lesotho are static; they do not grow and develop largely out of a lack of recognition, a lack of interest and a lack of upport from the government.
Recommendations are based on the findings of the study with the hope that they will
provide a basis for properly equipped and adequately staffed library services in all
ministries in future.
Description
Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
Keywords
Libraries, governmental, administrative, etc.--Lesotho., Libraries and state--Lesotho., Legislative bodies--Lesotho--Information services., Theses--Library and information science.