Towards tackling inequalities in South Africa: the role of community libraries
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2013
TITLE AUTHOR(S): N.Mnkeni-Saurombe, N.Zimu
KEYWORDS: DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, SOCIAL EXCLUSION
DEPARTMENT: GE Support Service (DED:CE), GE Support Service (BDE), GE Support Service (DCEO:OE), GE Support Service (HR), GE Support Service (IT), GE Support Service (LS), GE Support Service (IS), GE Support Service (RT), GE Support Service (IC), GE Support Service (SD), GE Support Service (PTA Caf), GE Support Service (OPS : Fac), GE Support Service (OPS: Build), GE Support Service (DCEO_MS), GE Support Service (Protect)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 7851
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/2856
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/2856
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
Tackling inequalities in society remains a serious challenge for post-apartheid South Africa. This battle calls for a multifaceted approach that involves various stakeholders including community libraries. Community libraries are internationally recognised as social institutions that can effect social and economic transformation in society. In South Africa, this is clearly manifested by the provision of a conditional government grant for the development of community libraries in the country. The Department of Arts and Culture started this project in 2007. Despite this recognition for community libraries, their role in tackling inequalities in society is not always clear. Findings from the literature and reports from the Department of Arts and Culture suggest that community libraries are playing an important role in curbing inequalities. This article also attempts to report on the progress of the Department of Arts and Culture's conditional grant community library project. Though there has been some progress in the project but challenges still exist and more effort and support are required. It is vital that community library services be developed and sustained as these libraries can have a positive influence on the development of society.-
Related Research Outputs:
- Report on the policy review workshop of the Department of Arts and Culture, 6-8 May 2007, Sandton International Convention Centre
- South African case study on social exclusion
- Rapid appraisal of social inclusion policies in selected sub-Saharan African countries
- Low-income African migrant women and social exclusion in South Africa
- Child poverty and social exclusion in South Africa
- Realising the dream: unlearning the logic of race in the South African school
- Community libraries tackle inequalities in South Africa
- How do academics extend their knowledge to the benefit of external social partners
- Book review: Pini, B. & Leach, B. (eds). 2011. Reshaping gender and class in rural spaces. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978 1 4094 0291 6
- Male circumcision: the determinant of social acceptance
- Eliminating illiteracy, eradicating inequalities and building an informed nation: an overview of the Department of Arts and Culture's community libraries conditional grant strategy
- Public policy responses to exclusion: evidence from Brazil, South Africa and India
- Bullying: reduced when learners feel like they belong in a school
- The South African urban system
- Women in their full diversity?: provincial government responses to socio-economic exclusion of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in Gauteng
- A review of place identity studies in post-apartheid South Africa
- Addressing the marginalisation of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa