The role and potential of Tanzania library services board in dissemination of HIV/AIDS information: a case study of Mbeya regional library.

This study investigated the role and potential of the Tanzania Library Services Board in the dissemination of HIV/AIDS information; it examined types of HIV/AIDS information available in the library; ways used by TLSB to disseminate HIV/AIDS information; challenges the TLSB faces in the dissemination of that information; and to solicit suggestions for improving TLSB methods in dissemination of HIV/AIDS information. The study was conducted in Mbeya Regional Library. A total of 60 respondents participated in this study including women and men of different education backgrounds and occupations. Respondents were randomly selected as they tended to use the library services. A combination of methods was used to collect data. They included interviews, questionnaires and observations. Major findings from this study revealed that the role currently played by TLSB is limited but the potential is high for TLSB to disseminate HIV/AIDS information. There is limited use of multiple ways of disseminating HIV/AIDS information such as seminars, conferences and workshops. However, findings revealed a few printed materials concerning HIV/AIDS information; some of which donated by TACAIDS and AMREF were available in the library. TLSB has not yet played a major role in the dissemination of HIV/AIDS information because HIV/AIDS prevention has not been identified as one of the priority roles of ensuring that the library provides information to all groups of people. The HIV/AIDS information available in the Library is inadequate.