Enhancing adult education through public libraries in Tanzania: a case study of Tanga region.
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Date
2013
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study is designed to examine the utilization of information resources and services in public libraries by adult learners and to find out whether the available information resources are sufficient to meet the information need of adult learning and also to find out the root cause of the inefficiency performance of public library in recent years, with the Tanga region as a case study. The study was mainly qualitative but some elements of quantitative approach were included. Data were mainly collected through questionnaires and interview, other methods were used to supplement these. The major findings reveal that the available resources and services at Tanga Regional Library are not sufficient to meet the needs of its users, most adult learners are not aware on the use of public libraries. Findings also show that the main sources of information for adult learners are discussion, asking their fellows, facilitators, prepared notes, modules, seminars, conferences, radio, television and the internet. The study concludes that, Tanga Library tries as much as possible to assist adult learners with the information resources it has. However, there are some problems which affect its performance in the provision of effective information services; these are lack of enough searching skills and low culture of reading. Most adult learners acknowledged that, libraries have significant positive influence on improving and enhancing the learning and provision of information to the society. The study recommends that the government should put more effort to build more libraries, relevant and current material should be provided enough, marketing library services, training librarians, improving library services, imparting information literacy skills and there should be a policy to form a basis for effective planning of libraries.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Public libraries, Adult education, Adult learners, Services to adults, Tanga region, Tanzania
Citation
Ayubu, L. (2013). Enhancing adult education through public libraries in Tanzania: a case study of Tanga region. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/search.aspx?formtype=advanced)