Development

and

Public Libraries in Ghana

By Brianne Wall

My experience

Communication Technologies and Development: Experiencing Research in Low-Resource Environments

University of WashingtonDr. Araba Sey, Research Assistant Professor, Technology and Social Change Group

My research

•Public libraries

•Services beyond book-lending

•ICTs

•Shifts in service/

•Patron use

•influence of NGOs

What are libraries like in Ghana?

•Ghana Library Authority

•10 Regional Libraries

•Mobile Extension Services

•Supporting public education

Involvement of NGOs

•Beyond Access

•Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic

Communications (GIFEC)

•International Federation of Library Associations

(IFLA)

•Librarians without Borders

•Electronic Information For Libraries (EIFL) – Public

Library Innovation Project (PLIP)

My research

Professionals

•Training

•Teaching comp classes

•Renovating/rebuilding

•Advocating-radio ads

•Working with NGOs

•Optimistic

Patrons

•Students

•Use space

•Read newspaper

•Low expectations

•Libraries=books

“The size of Kumasi and the number of schools, colleges, and universities are expanding fast although the size of the library and the available facilities remain static. This is adversely affecting the role of the library.” - K. Agyen-Gyasi and Hagar Atta-Obeng

Defining Development

Measuring the status of a country/region based on economy, infrastructure,

education/literacy, and infant mortality. Sometimes political and based on

military strength, government organization, and public service. Sometimes social

and based on humanitarian record and class gaps.

•Developed, emerging/transition, or developing

•First, second, and third world

•Urban, para-urban, rural

•Core, semi-periphery, periphery

•Exploitive vs. exploited

•Economically rich vs. resource rich

How can libraries contribute to development?