Resource Constraints and Quality Public Library Service Delivery in Ghana

Baada, Frederic Naazi-Ale; Ayoung, Azerikatoa D.; Bekoe, Stephen; Azindow, Fuseini Bawah

doi:10.1080/10572317.2019.1607697

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This tension may have a large impact on overall motivation to participate in the data project. Baada et al (2020) highlight similar tensions in hierarchy among staff and management in public libraries in Ghana. They report that "self-initiative is not encouraged or supported," specifically in staff who propose marketing ideas which are "rejected by management," resulting in a "lack of motivation" (Baada et al, 2020: 16) to engage further.…”

Section: Recognize the Role Of Hierarchy And Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Data challenges for public libraries: African perspectives and the social context of knowledge

Lynch

Young

Jowaisas

et al. 2020

Information Development

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This article sheds light on the collection and use of data by libraries in sixteen countries across Africa. It highlights the challenges that librarians and library organizations face in gathering, analyzing, and presenting data of various types for self-advocacy. In this study, qualitative data from a meeting of library representatives was analyzed to identify main challenges including: data integrity in terms of completeness, accuracy, credibility, and relevancy; infrastructure; capacity; local investment in libraries; time; and participation of data collectors and respondents. Implications for those collecting data on African libraries as well as those supporting the use of data in these contexts are discussed. The purpose of this paper is not to feed into representations of African libraries as chronically under-resourced and lacking in capacity, but rather, to constructively engage with first-hand accounts of how librarians are experiencing and navigating barriers in order to offer potential avenues forward for the field.

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Section: Recognize the Role Of Hierarchy And Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Data challenges for public libraries: African perspectives and the social context of knowledge

Lynch

Young

Jowaisas

et al. 2020

Information Development

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“…Policies serve as written contracts or lines of arguments rationalizing the course of action of a government with regard to its dealings with state institutions and agencies (Baada et al, 2020). Wiler and Lomax (2000) bemoan the lack of written policies as surprising – the extant literature in relation to libraries and disability recommends an evaluation and review of current library policies as a primary step in the process of compliance.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Access to library services and facilities by persons with disability: Insights from academic libraries in Ghana

Ayoung¹,

Baada

Baayel

2020

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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A group of the academic library’s vast untapped clientele to whom more attention is now being paid is persons with disability. Drawing from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ checklist on what constitutes disability-friendly libraries, this study sought to ascertain if academic libraries in the Upper East Region of Ghana have made provisions for persons with disability. The research adopted a qualitative approach. The data used for the analysis is drawn from interviews with respondents, the majority of whom were visually or mobility-impaired, who were purposively selected from 11 tertiary institutions. The findings reveal that academic libraries in the Upper East Region have yet to implement the stipulated regulations of the ratified Persons with Disability Act of Ghana. The majority of libraries are inaccessible to persons with disability beyond the main entrance of the libraries. The biggest challenge is the absence of diverse media information for persons with visual and hearing impairments. Also, the findings reveal that library staff lack adequate knowledge of issues relating to persons with disability and their right to access information. The study highlights the challenges which hinder persons with disability from accessing quality information from libraries. The study, therefore, recommends that relevant state institutions be empowered to implement the ratified Persons with Disability Act in Ghana and increase education among stakeholders on the need to improve access to information for persons with disability. Also, there should be increased investment and allocation of funds to libraries to provide for the information needs of persons with disability.

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“…Elbert et al (2012) found that local government stakeholders in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe perceived libraries as "lenders of books" and restricted in terms of technology, not necessarily as "agents for development and innovation." Baada et al (2020) similarly note a "lack of recognition of the importance of public libraries" as a significant barrier in attaining adequate resources for public libraries in Ghana, as politicians may pay lip service to libraries while failing to allocate proper funds. A lack of a defined role in national development plans exacerbates this issue by leading many libraries to be reliant on inconsistent and short-term funding (Benson et al, 2016;Kavalya, 2007;Moahi, 2019), and decentralization policies which shift power to local governments also result in decreased administrative and financial support (Stranger-Johannessen et al, 2015, p. 88).…”

Section: African Libraries In Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Libraries in Development: Perceptions and Possibilities

Lynch

Young

Jowaisas

et al. 2020

International Information & Library Review

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Across Africa, libraries are contributing to development in their countries. However, this work remains largely unrecognized by international stakeholders in development. To bridge this gap, this research examines the current perceptions of libraries among development organizations and asks how libraries may gain visibility as partners. Interviews with development practitioners indicate that perceptions of libraries remain low and limited but allow for possible roles for libraries as community-embedded institutions and development resource hubs. To engage these roles, the collection of output data is important in order to demonstrate the capacity of libraries to participate meaningfully in development work.

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Resource Constraints and Quality Public Library Service Delivery in Ghana

Cited by 17 publications

References 26 publications

Data challenges for public libraries: African perspectives and the social context of knowledge

Data challenges for public libraries: African perspectives and the social context of knowledge

Access to library services and facilities by persons with disability: Insights from academic libraries in Ghana

African Libraries in Development: Perceptions and Possibilities

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