technology change, development and public library good practice justin chisenga knowledge &...
TRANSCRIPT
Technology Change, Development and Public
Library Good Practice
Justin ChisengaKnowledge & Information Management
OfficerFAO Regional Office for Africa
Accra, [email protected]
Technology Changes
12 August 1981
Smart PhonesLandline Telephone
Laptops
Tablets
Technology Changes...
9.6K – 56K
10Mbps / 4G
Technology Changes...
Technology Changes...
Some Statistics: Africa
500 million subscribers in
2011
15.1 million smart phones sold in
2010
57% of tweets from mobile devices
139 million internet users / 40 million Facebook users
Technology in Public Libraries
Texas State Library & Archives Commission upgraded public computer center
Public Library Services• Internet-based services• Computers for public access• Online library catalogue• Music (MP3) for downloading• Access to videos on demand• Digital content, i.e. e-Books, podcasts,
etc• Help with e-Readers• Free wi-fi facilities• Social media - Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, etc
Development
• Positive social, economic and political change in a country or community (Nzimakwe, 2008)
• Dimensions of human development (UNDP, 2006):– living a long and healthy life– being educated – decent standard of living
Examples from Africa• Several initiatives on-going– Hoima Public Library Uganda• Health services - including free internet and
online searching training
– Durban Public Library (South Africa) • Cyberzones - free access to computers for word
processing and internet access
– Segiso e-Public Library (Botswana)• Computer training, internet access, etc.
• Mainly externally supported– Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation– Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL)
The Challenge
Where are is technology?
Can they be accessed on
mobile phones?
Limited facilties
The Challenge...
“Public libraries are beloved institutions, but they can’t survive
on accolades alone”Ruth A. Wooden (2006)
Governments Should Ensure that:
• Public libraries are integral parts of e-government initiatives.
• Public libraries reshape their services around modern users and deliver these in partnerships with other services and/or providers.
• Public library staff acquire additional skills needed in the digital world.
Thank youtwitter.com/justinchisenga
justinchisenga.blogspot.com