An exploration into the role of public libraries in the alleviation of information inequality and poverty

397 Pages·2016·12.98 MB·English

An exploration into the role of public libraries in the
alleviation of information inequality and poverty in
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

by

Karla Jean Strand
(29746257)

Thesis

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
Doctor Philosophiae (Information Science)

in the

Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology

University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa

Supervisor: Prof. J.J. Britz
February 2016
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DECLARATION

I declare that the thesis, which I hereby submit for the degree Doctor Philosophiae (Information
Science) in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the
University of Pretoria, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a
degree at this or any other tertiary institution.

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ETHICS STATEMENT

The author, whose name appears on the title page of this thesis, has obtained, for the research
described in this work, the applicable research ethics approval.

The author declares that she has observed the ethical standards required in terms of the
University of Pretoria’s Code of ethics for researchers and the Policy guidelines for responsible
research.

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SUMMARY
This study investigates information inequality and poverty in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in
South Africa. Its purpose is to explore and elucidate strategies for public libraries to support the
alleviation of this type of inequality and poverty within their communities.
In Chapters 1 and 2, in-depth discussions of information inequality and poverty are presented.
An historical perspective of libraries in South Africa is presented in Chapter 3. The theoretical
framework used for this study is explained in Chapter 4. This research is based mainly on the
critical theories of Pierre Bourdieu, Paolo Freire, Martha Nussbaum, and Shiraz Durrani. In
addition, a new integrative approach to information inequality and poverty based on this critical
theoretical framework is presented. Chapter 5 will explain the qualitative research design and
methodology of this study. A rationale for choosing to conduct two case studies is provided. The
choice of constructivist, critical paradigms are explained as is the decision to use a quantitative

survey to supplement the des ign.
In Chapter 6, uMhlathuze municipality and the case study libraries is discussed in depth. The
findings of the data collection are presented, collated under five main themes based on the main
research questions. Chapter 7 interprets and discusses the research findings in three primary
analytic categories. An explanation of the steps to apply the new integrative approach to
information inequality and poverty is provided. Final conclusions for addressing the problem is
presented in Chapter 8 along with recommendations for libraries wishing to alleviate information
inequality and poverty.

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Keywords
The following keywords represent the most important aspects covered in the thesis:
• Information inequality
• Information poverty
• Information society
• Knowledge society
• Information era
• Knowledge era
• Rural libraries
• Information and communication technology
• Critical theory
• Constructive paradigm
• Qualitative case studies
• South Africa

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ABSTRACT

Title: An exploration into the role of public libraries in the alleviation of information inequality
and poverty in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Candidate: Karla J. Strand (29726257)
Promotor: Prof. J.J. Britz
Department: Information Science
School: Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Degree: Doctor Philosophiae (Information Science)

This thesis investigates information inequality and poverty, with particular attention paid to the
relationship between public libraries and these phenomena in semi-rural and rural areas of
KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Because information inequality and poverty are issues
of moral concern, this study investigates the concepts from a constructivist approach and using a
framework based on critical theories. The study presents explanations of information inequality
and poverty as well as a history of public libraries in South Africa to provide contextual

background and further the r eader’s understanding of information inequality and poverty there.
Two qualitative case studies were conducted in semi-rural public libraries in KwaZulu-Natal.
The research was framed by the critical theories of Bourdieu, Friere, Durrani, and Nussbaum and
constructive methodologies were used in the analysis of findings. After a thorough literature
review, document analysis, observations, and 22 interviews and questionnaires, the research
revealed that information inequality and poverty manifest in a variety of ways in South Africa
and thus various ways should be attempted to alleviate them. It was found that libraries can play
vital roles in community development (and thus in the alleviation of information inequality and
poverty) but work must be done to raise their visibility and value amongst the public, potential
investors, and policy-makers. Understanding the roles libraries play in the community, the
importance of continual investment in their development, as well as investigating library user
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behaviour and community information needs are imperative to the process. These are steps in the
application of the new integrative approach to information inequality and poverty and are
discussed in more depth in this thesis. Ultimately, this research culminates in a compendium of
recommendations that public libraries in KwaZulu-Natal and other developing areas can use to
help alleviate information inequality and poverty in their communities.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I first wish to thank my son, Logan, to whom this work is dedicated. I also wish to express my
gratitude to my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and my extended family, for their constant
support, patience, and understanding.
I will be long indebted to my supervisor for this study, Dr. Johannes J. Britz, for taking me under
his wing and revealing to me new horizons in education and research. I am forever grateful as
well to my mentor, Dr. Lelan McLemore, without whom I would have never had the opportunity
to experience the wonder, challenge, and importance of libraries, as well as the necessity in
maintaining of two senses: common and humor. Thanks go as well to Dr. Theo Bothma, Dr.
Dennis Ocholla, and Dr. Shana Ponelis for their assistance with this process.
Many thanks go to the library staff at eNseleni, Felixton, Ngwelezane, and Richards Bay Public
Libraries for their time, energy, and information. I am particularly grateful to Sandra van

Niekerk, Gugu Ngema, Leon ie Wood, and Carol Slater.
Special thanks go to the faculty and staff at Carroll University, especially those in the library.
You were with me from the beginning of this process and you stuck by me through rants, vents,
tears, and random lightbulb moments on dry erase boards in the staff room. I am deeply grateful
to all of you for your support, patience, and grace.
I am indebted to JoAnne Lehman, Lachrista Greco, Becky Standard, and the student employees
of the Office of the Gender and Women’s Studies Librarian, where I have been employed since
2013. You have been an enormous support to me in the final push of this process. You ground
me, inspire me, and make me laugh when I need it most. Doug Way, Carrie Kruse, and Ed Van
Gemert are also to be thanked, as well as numerous other esteemed librarians and colleagues at
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University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is only my privilege and pleasure to work alongside you
every day.
It is clear that all amazing things in my life are only accomplished with the support, love, and
inspiration of my Tribe. I cannot name them all but those I do are representing so many others:
Dr, Jennifer Maney (for initial inspiration); Deb Weber and Family (for your constant
cheerleading); Karena Ainsworth (for your understanding); Kathy Kramer (for your wisdom
marked by the occasional four-letter-word), and The Girlinas (FOR-EVER!).
Finally, thank you to Sarah, whose unwavering belief in me was always there when I needed it
most. I love you.
So many people have helped me reach this goal in so many ways. Please know I am grateful to
you all and will not forget the strength, laughter, and encouragement you so graciously offered to
me throughout this process. T hank you!

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DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my son, Logan, who has served as my inspiration, my challenger, my
distraction, my comic relief, and most of all, my reminder of what is truly important in life.

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