The two libraries are not without their fair share of challenges. Most of their challenges are a direct result of the inadequacies of the local municipality. Both libraries have not internet
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access; for the past three years. This affects the day-to-day operations of the libraries; books must be checked out manually and recorded, patrons do not have access to online services therefore computers are only used for typing.
Compounded with a lack of internet, the situation in LCL is even more dismal as the library has had no of electricity, for over a year. The librarians are only able to keep the photocopy machine and the computer at the circulation desk working. However, a shortage of printer toners, which the library has been without for three months, means that the photocopy machine also does not work. The lights and computers meant for patrons are not working and most of the library services that require the use of computers have been halted. The municipality only managed to send out electricians to the library during the time when I was conducting this research. Library usage has been severely affected by these issues.
The children’s section at the TCL has a severe shortage of books. Over half of the books at the TCL in the children’s section were destroyed by water from the air conditioner. Shelves that were once full of books now stand empty with the damaged books removed. This is one of the issues mentioned by one of the patrons (patron L1-9, Female) who replied that she often visits the library with her children. When asked how the library can improve its services, she replied that “the kids section is very poor” implying that the children’s section can be improved.
4.10. Conclusion
My research yielded several important findings regarding who uses the libraries and for what purpose. The most significant of these findings are noted below.
The user profiles offer a small hint to an extremely diverse member body with differing needs. It shows that the library patrons were almost entirely people who live close to the library and surrounding villages not more than half an hour away. In terms of gender, the survey revealed that more women (55%) than men patronised the TCL. The seating sweeps, however, revealed an even number of male and female patrons at the library.
With regard to the age of library users, the patron surveys revealed that library users are relatively young with half of the patrons being under the age of twenty-five, just over 40% were under 64, 8% of the respondents did not give their age. This is because many young people use libraries for educational purposes. For the occupations of patron’s 76 percent reported that they are university students. This finding is consistent with observations and interviews with the library staff. It is also in line with the view of Powell et al (1984) who stated that school learners and university students are more likely to visit public libraries frequently. The theme
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that appeared across all the interviews with the library staff from both the TCL and the LCL was university students, particularly students from the University of South Africa (UNISA) who used the library on a regular basis. In both libraries, UNISA students made up a significant amount of the patrons.
Patrons were divided with regards to how often they used the library.The survey revealed that forty-two percent of patrons visit the library at least once every week. 19 % of those surveyed revealed that they frequent the TCL library every day. Students and video game players generally stay the longest at the library and are also likely to visit the library frequently. The TCL is very popular among those who need a place to study. For example, when asked “why did you come to this library today?” the most common survey response was to study with own material. The prominence of private study is supported by the observation that patrons, usually students and high school learners, mostly had their own backpacks to carry their books. The LCL on the other hand does not attract many people who want to study because of the ongoing problems with electricity.
There is a social aspect of visiting the library with some patrons accompanied by friends and/or study partners. Compared to older patrons, younger patrons – both male and female – were inclined to come to the library in pairs or groups. Responses regarding why people come to the TCL together include learning, studying together and to discuss. There are also patrons who use the library as a meeting place, for instance, young men who meet at the TCL to play video games. This all indicates the social facet of the library. Regarding the gaming room, young men and boys are the primary users. The gendered use of the gaming room might be due to the perception of playing video games being a male activity. Nevertheless, the TCL unites people by providing social opportunities for them to interact in ways that would otherwise be unavailable without the existence of the library.
Another group of people who frequently visit the library in groups is school age children both primary and high school age. The reason why school age children are inclined to come in groups is to do schoolwork together. When they have a school project, they use the library as a place to work together and use the library resources such as computers or to ask staff for assistance in researching the projects. The libraries are also used as public spaces to hold public presentation.
Results from my study suggest that the TCL meets most of the criteria of Oldenburg and Brisset’s third place. The two community libraries certainly exhibit some of the qualities of a third place where people go to relax and enjoy the company of others. They show characteristics of the first place as people use to the library to meet other people, come with other people, and occasionally run errands for others. As second places, the two libraries are
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often used for work related purposes such as using computers to type as well as printing and photocopying documents.
For many people, the libraries are their main source of technological resources. Users pay little to nothing to use these resources and so many people come to the library for the sole purpose of making photocopies or use computers. Along with the study room, the libraries’ technology resources attract the most patrons.
A theme that arose from the survey responses is the library as a source of information. Of the people surveyed 32 percent identified the primary function of the TCL as a source of information. The availability of technology services and books at no cost at the library was indicated by respondents as being beneficial to the community. Indeed, nineteen of the forty- nine people surveyed stated that the community benefits from having these services at the library.
It is evident from my findings that the libraries are an important and invaluable resource to the communities they serve. The conclusion from my findings is the importance of community libraries as vibrant public spaces were people come to learn, seek information socialise and relax.
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