The Role of Libraries in Community Empowerment: A Systematic Review

Abstract


 
 
 
 Problem Statement: Libraries as public information agencies act as catalysts that provide reliable information that empowers people in making the right decision in terms of development plans put forward by various sectors. However, studies on how and where the society, access, and the use of relevant information that empower them to contribute positively in these sectors are inadequately reported in scholarly literatures. Purpose: This study in particular reports the role of libraries in community empowerment and the challenges faced by libraries in the dissemination of information for community empowerment. Method: This study is a scoping and a literature review of the role of libraries in community empowerment. The study adopted Arksey and O’ Malley framework. Google scholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, Emerald insight, fullfreepdf, Eric, Research4life databases, and Taylor & Francis were used as the main sources of information. Results: The result revealed that libraries provide free internet access and information resources. Libraries also act as information acquisition centre, community empowerment programs as well as a centre for building capacity, and learning support. The study also revealed that job dissatisfaction among library staff, inadequate facilities, lack of commitment, lack of teamwork and poor relationships among staff, insufficient knowledge and skills among library staff are some of the challenges libraries have to face as an effective provision of information services. Conclusion: The study concludes that there are countless and well established role of libraries in community empowerment in various sectors like education, health, agriculture and technology. Libraries are the main centre for information that contributes greatly to community empowerment through building capacity and learning support.
 
 
 
 
 Keywords: Libraries; Empowerment; Community Empowerment; Role of Libraries 
 
 
 
 
 
 Abstrak
 
 
 
 
 Latar Belakang: Perpustakaan sebagai pusat informasi publik berperan sebagai katalisator yang menyediakan informasi terpercaya yang memberdayakan masyarakat untuk membuat keputusan tepat dalam hal rencana pengembangan yang dikemukakan oleh berbagai sektor. Namun, penelitian tentang bagaimana dan dimana masyarakat, akses, dan kegunaan informasi relevan yang membuat mereka berkontribusi secara baik pada sektor-sektor ini jarang sekali dilaporkan dalam literatur ilmiah. Tujuan: Penelitian ini secara khusus melaporkan peran perpustakaan dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat dan tantangan yang dihadapi perpustakaan dalam penyebaran informasi pemberdayaan masyarakat. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan metode scoping dan tinjauan literatur tentang peran perpustakaan dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat. Studi ini mengadopsi kerangka kerja dari Arksey dan O' Malley dengan sumber informasi menggunakan database GOOGLE SCholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, Emerald insight, Fullfreepdf, Eric, Research4life, dan Taylor & Francis. Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa perpustakaan menyediakan akses internet gratis dan menjadi sumber informasi. Perpustakaan juga bertindak sebagai pusat perolehan informasi, program pemberdayaan masyarakat serta pusat untuk membangun kapasitas, dan dukungan pembelajaran. Penelitian ini juga mengungkapkan bahwa adanya ketidakpuasan pekerjaan di antara staf perpustakaan, fasilitas yang tidak memadai, kurangnya komitmen, kurangnya kerja tim yang baik dan hubungan yang buruk antar staf, pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang tidak memadai di antara staf perpustakaan adalah beberapa tantangan yang harus dihadapi perpustakaan sebagai penyediaan layanan informasi yang efektif. Kesimpulan: Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa perpustakaan berperan sangat baik dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat di berbagai sektor seperti pendidikan, kesehatan, pertanian dan teknologi. Perpustakaan juga merupakan pusat distribusi informasi yang berkontribusi terhadap pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui peningkatan kapasitas dan dukungan pembelajaran.
 
 
 
 
 Keywords: Perpustakaan; Pemberdayaan Masyarakat; Peran Perpustakaan
 
 
 

A systematic review of infopreneurship’s opportunities and challenges

“…Customized information: In this age of information explosion, information that has been synthesized and customized to the demands of the user to meet their information needs has been critical. This entailed converting information into a readily understandable manner (e.g., computer generated graphics) (Aregbesola et al, 2019; Beriya, 2022; Lose and Khuzwayo, 2022; Mubofu and Mambo, 2021). Librarians, as information specialists, have the ability to repackage or simplify material such that even a layperson may understand the message hidden in a properly prepared research paper.…”

“…Although information business can be done 24/7 in today's world, it is necessary to have a registered office where people can visit if they need to discuss something with an entrepreneur face-to-face. Libraries, particularly public ones, have been providing good infrastructure for people to access information for various purposes (Mubofu and Mambo, 2021), but due to library regulations, this is not a good place for entrepreneurs to conduct their business. Infrastructure such as software, hardware, internet facilities, and other physical equipment are necessary in a digital information service system to give easier, faster, and more complete access to information.…”

“…It should be noted that progress on an individual and social level is largely contingent on using pertinent information at the appropriate time (Adetayo et al, 2022). People in all walks of life seek information in some form or another for choice and decision making, which has increased the number of opportunities for information professionals (Mubofu and Mambo, 2021), such as the establishment of information centers where information can be searched, processed/repacked, and delivered to the appropriate information seeker on time. Librarians have every incentive to guarantee that the correct information reaches the right people at the right time, as information has become a crucial instrument for empowerment.…”

Preservation Practices for Information Resources in Public University Libraries in Tanzania

“…However, strategies such as climate control, access system, proper storage, and disaster planning will also be useful for electronic information. A library being the source of data, the need to preserve, conserve and restore information resources in all formats found in libraries is significant (Mubofu and Mambo 2021).…”

Pemberdayaan Literasi Desa melalui Manajemen Perpustakaan Sekolah di Kawasan Pesisir Desa Biluango

“…Selain itu, berbagai program inisiatif seperti perpustakaan keliling, program penjangkauan, dan pendampingan sosial telah dilakukan oleh berbagai perpustakaan modern (Mubofu & Mambo, 2021). Harapannya, program tersebut dapat menjangkau banyak orang terutama masyarakat kurang mampu di pelosok.…”