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Project: Qwaqwa: Development of library and information in Qwaqwa with a R5,2 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York

Introducing the project facilitator

The Free State Provincial Library and Information Service is part of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, Science & Technology. Our function is to provide public library services in the Province by

  • Proviing a library service infrastructure
  • assisting our partners, namely local authorities, to render library and information services to the community.

Background on the grant

The Free State Provincial Library and Information Services succeeded in obtaining the grant of approximately R5,2 million ($650 000) from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The money will be paid over a period of three years and the project will be implemented between July 2001 and June 2004.

A delegation of the Carnegie Corporation visited the Free State during September 2000. Afterwards the Corporation invited the Library Service to submit a proposal for grant funding. The Free State proposal was evaluated with those of the other provincial and metropolitan library services in the country.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is a philanthropic organisation, founded in 1911 by the industrialist Andrew Carnegie to "promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding". The Corporation is involved in many projects world wide. In Africa its focus is higher education, women in higher education and public libraries. The Free State received its grant as part of the Revitalizing Public Libarries Programme.

Project goal

The Carnegie Libraries for All Project will expand and improve library and information services in the poor rural area of Qwaqwa with more service outlets and revitalized services. The project will alleviate the problem of inadequate library and information provision in this area.

Strategic objectives

  • Expanding and strengthening LIBRARY INFRASTRUCTURE
  • Expanding and revitalizing LIBRARY SERVICES
  • Expanding and strengthening STAFF CAPACITY

Outputs

By June 2004:

10 library service points will be active in Qwaqwa

  • An IT network of 20 computers with Internet and e-mail facilities will be in operation
  • The library collection will be expanded with approximately 20 000 new books and other information resources
  • A continuous community outreach, reading and information programme will be established
  • The use of library services will have improved with 20%
  • 30% more children will use library services
  • The literacy rate will have improved with 5%
  • A structured staff training programme will be implemented and maintained
  • A staff manual will be available.

Activities and accomplishments (accomplishments since 14 april 2002 are underlined)

strategic objective 1: strengthening library infrastructure

Project

Activities

Achievements to date

Comments

Establish 10 service outlets by June 2004

Upgrade main library to central reference, study and adult lending library.

Study space expanded to provide 50 additional study tables

Study and reference collection expanded with app. 2000 items

Introduced a Readers’ Interest Classification to make shelf arrangement more user friendly

 

  
 

Establish a children’s and parents library.

Library opened in August 2001.

Stock expanded with app 1000 items.

Toy library established.

  
 

Establish 6 school/community libraries.

6 Schools identified

1 opened in April and one reading for opening in July 2002.

  
 

Establish 2 public information Kiosks.

One opened in April

Security at one site delayed progress.

Establish ICT Infrastructure

Buy computers and software. Establish WAN with Internet and e-mail access.

Establish electronic library management system.

Training of staff and users.

Provide telephone and fax facilities.

12 Computers bought.

Network established at 2 libraries

Library management system implemented in April.

Staff training underway.

Prohibitive line and internet costs a cause for concern. Willl restrict free public access.

Provide libraries with supporting equipment, namely audio-visual equipment and transport facilities.

Buy TVs, video-machine, CD players.

Buy two vehicles for transport between libraries and for transporting public.

Audio- visual equipment bought for 4 libraries

One vehicle bought

  

Upgrade library collection

Strengthen the library collection in specific focus areas

Provide a variety of formats in the collection.

App. 7000 items of material bought, including books, videos, CDs and CD — ROM and toys. 1000 more items bought since 14 April 2002

Periodical and newspaper subscriptions upgraded.

 

 

stRategic objective 2: revitalizing library services

Project

Activities

Achievements to date

Comments

Special user groups: students, children 8 Parents, Literacy Learners

Present user guidance and information skills programmes

Holiday learning programmes for students.

Computer literacy and internet training.

Reading for pleasure . Streetwise programmes. Literacy support programme.

User guidance programme developed.

One streetwise programme presented: Children’s rights.

Literacy programme launched.

Library Week programme presented from 18 — 23 March.

Literacy Programme launched

Most of the user programmes scheduled to start in/after April 2002.

Outreach Services

Healthy people are happy people.

Living our Culture

Be your own employer

Programmes scheduled to start in May 2002.

  

Special Information Services; Community Information Service.

Government Information Service.

Career Information Service.

Develop computerized database.

 

Establish official publication Depository.

Present Citizenship Education Programme.

Present Annual Career Show

In planning stage.

 

 

Government Information Service available at main library

  

Strategic objective 3: building staff capacity

Project

Activities

Achievements to date

Comments

Expand staff establishment

Appoint 6 staff members, namely 3 librarians, literacy coordinator, graphic artist, driver-clerk

Establish library committees.

Recruit voluntary workers.

Appointed 5 staff members.

Two Library Committees active,

at Main Library and Mohato School/community Library

Period of transition and transformation in local government delayed appointments. New management structure was developed to overcome this delay.

Staff Development and Training

Provide structured, continuous training.

Training needs analysis

5 Computer training sessions

Toy Library Training

User guidance training and workshop.

The Directorate provides a full-time trainer for the project.

Professional Networking

Register QwaQwa Community Library Service as LIASA member.

Attend conferences and seminars

1 Librarian attended IFLA conference.

2 Librarians attended LIASA conference.

2 Librarians attended SCECSAL.

2 Project Team members attended Project Implementation Workshop.

2 Project Team members attended Reader Development workshop at SCECSAL.

  

Supporting objectives

Project

Activities

Achievements to date

Comments

Promote and publicize the project

Launch event

Media coverage

Community consultation and events

Web site

3 Publicity Banners were produced

A permanent project display in main library.

Project announced and reported on in FS Legislature.

Official launch took place in May 2002.

Media coverage in newspaper and national radio

Website in planning phase

Official launch scheduled for May 2002.

Establish a projects management, admin and financial support unit.

Project Team meetings

Admin Support Unit

Financial Management

Bought project management software.

Bought accountancy software Trained one staff member in Pastel software.

Training for PM software must still be done.

 

 

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