Gekombineerde skool- en openbare biblioteke : 'n moontlike oplossing vir plattelandse gebiede

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: The possible combination of school and public libraries in rural areas is the maintheme of the dissertation. Both the school and public libraries serve thecommunity; the school library solely for use by the school and the public libraryfor the use of the broader community.Although there are two functioning libraries in country towns there are stillunderprivileged communities who have unsatisfactory or even no library facilities.Research on the needs of these areas is essential, community development beingthe most important contribution which can be provided by the library, to theunderprivileged.The research centres on the main problem: whether there is any justification fortwo libraries with roughly the same objectives in any small town. Possiblenegative factors, such as a poor economic climate, a decline in the number ofschool pupils, the depopulation of rural areas and insufficient library facilities mustbe taken into account for the efficient functioning of both libraries.Combined libraries can be a solution. Reasons for the establishment of combinedlibraries are amongst others; rationalization, financial saving, sufficient libraryfacilities and the provision of improved services. Combined libraries could functionin the rural areas in existing library buildings or newly-erected structures andprovide a service to both the uninformed user in a strange, new environment, aswell as to the more experienced seeker of knowledge.Country towns and districts in the Western Cape were defined as the chosen areafor research. The circle is drawn closer with the specific target being combinedschools, for example, the combination of both a primary school and high schoolcomponent on the same site. The custom of combined institutions has thusalready been accepted in these towns. The dissertation initially reviews the role of existing schObl and public libraries inrural areas. The aims and functions of both types of libraries are discussed andcompared and similarities and differences are noted. Each existing school andpublic library is evaluated to on its own standards. Both the libraries musttherefore meet these requirements to be successful. The criteria whereby theselibraries are judged are: [i] management and control, [ii] stock, [iii] staff, [iv] libraryhours and [v] accommodation. All aspects of both types of libraries are discussedthoroughly and all advantages and disadvantages are investigated. A schoolpubliclibrary must, therefore, meet certain standards to succeed in the role of acombined library.Following on an in-depth discussion of two existing libraries in a rural area, theresearch shifts to combined libraries in certain foreign countries, namely Australia,Canada, the United States of America and Sweden. The African State, Malawi,is also used as an example of a country with a developing community.Comparisons are made between factors in local and foreign countries andconclusions are drawn.The emphasis moves on to a new situation where a newly-planned, combinedlibrary on the school grounds is proposed. Such a library, known as Model A,should serve .a community where no school or public library exists. The highestpriority is afforded to the pupil and facilities for studying, as well as an instructionarea are provided.Model A, is compared to Model B, which represents the school library as acombined library and Model C, which represents the public library as a combinedlibrary.Combined libraries in the rural areas will provide the communities and schools withthese advantages: [iJ more effective accommodation, [iiJ a larger stock, [iiiJprofessional staff and [ivJ longer library hours. Together, these advantages shouldsuccessfully provide rural areas with an effective community service.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University