The role of public libraries in reducing information inequality and poverty: the case of Ngqushwa local municipality public libraries

Abstract

More has been written about the nature of information, access to information, and information and knowledge societies in Africa than about information inequality or poverty in particular. In the South African context, the transformation to the post-apartheid democratic period meant that one of the key aspects of transformation was levelling the field concerning access to information. Hence, comprehensively investigating information access is crucial because access to information has become a key aspect in this information age. The study aimed to investigate the role of public libraries in reducing information inequality and poverty, focusing on Ngqushwa Local Municipality public libraries. The study identified that information inequality and poverty can be eliminated through digital literacy programmes, enough computers, and internet connectivity. The study further measured how these public libraries could be used to measure information inequality and poverty at schools. The social capital theory framework was employed to focus on how libraries play a key role in reducing information inequality and poverty. The study adopted a post-positivist paradigm and mixed-method approach, using a questionnaire and interviews to collect data. The research site was all the Ngqushwa local municipality libraries, namely Peddie, Hamburg and Sobantu libraries. Data was collected using a questionnaire completed by 70 library users, while interviews were conducted with five library staff, and four school teachers who formed a focus group. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic data analysis. Findings revealed that demographic factors (age, education, and language), economic constraints (unemployment, poverty), and social issues (digital and information literacy) significantly shaped information access. Respondents valued libraries as inclusive and safe spaces but identified persistent challenges, including inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, limited multilingual resources, and insufficient staff training. Recommendations include investment in information and communication technology infrastructure, expansion of multilingual collections, enhanced staff capacity-building, extended operating hours, and stronger partnerships between libraries, schools, non-governmental organisations, and local government. The study concludes that public libraries in Ngqushwa are critical community assets for reducing information inequalities, yet they require strategic policy and practice interventions to fulfil their potential.