An assessment of diminishing public library funding and its effects on the provision of library services: the case of Kibaha and Morogoro public libraries in Tanzania

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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study assessed the problem of diminishing public library funding and its effects on service provision in Tanzania. Specifically, the study was aimed at analyzing the factors behind the diminishing public library funding with a view to find an alternative approach to secure funding for public libraries in the country. The study was carried out in Coast and Morogoro regions. A case study method was used as the basic data collection method, where by questionnaires; interviews and observation were deployed to collect the required data. The study established that public libraries under study were experiencing an acute shortage of funds as they receive only 20% of the required funds. Moreover, all library services were found to be affected by funds cut particularly the acquisitions sections. Also hit by funds scarcity was the adoption of modern technology facilities and the services provision for disabled people. The study also established that little had been done to find alternative funding sources so as to fill the funding gap in public libraries due to librarians’ lack of entrepreneurial skills. On the basis of these findings the study recommends that the government increases funding to public libraries which in turn should establish partnerships with private companies to supplement public funding.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark ( THS EAF Z683T34K47)
Keywords
Public libraries, Library services, Finance, Kibaha Public Library, Morogoro Public Library, Tanzania
Citation
Kessy, V. T (2014) An assessment of diminishing public library funding and its effects on the provision of library services: the case of Kibaha and Morogoro public libraries in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.