Entrevista dirigida a las jefaturas

Determining the accessibility of public libraries ICTs facilities to users of EMM libraries was also an objective of this study. One of the expected roles of public libraries, according to the American Library Association (2009), also known as ALA, is to empower users by providing access to the broadest range of information. According to ALA (2009) access to electronic information, including information available through the Internet, allows libraries to fulfil this responsibility much better. ALA (2009) also stressed that librarians and libraries are not expected to deny or limit access to electronic information because of its controversial content or because of the librarian’s personal beliefs or views. They should, however, support access to information on all subjects that serve the needs of each user, regardless of the user’s age or the content of the materials (ALA 2009). Meanwhile, Day (1997) reasoned that access is simply not an issue of public access points and their geographic locations alone. Citizens must be able to use the technology and have the capability to use the information. Day (1997) further stressed that, the mere fact that these are skills that most people do not possess, the issues of access should be linked to training, education and learning.

However, available literature reveals that access to most ICTs facilities in public libraries is affected by certain barriers. Both Yates (2009) and McClure, Jaeger and Bertot (2007), identified time limit as one of the barriers affecting access to ICTs facilities in USA public libraries. Time limit involves librarians limiting users’ time to access the Internet in order to deal with a high volume of users wanting to use the facilities. Therefore, while limiting time allows other users to have access to the facilities, the challenge is that people do not have

47

sufficient time to use them (Yates 2009). Meanwhile McClure, Jaeger and Bertot (2007) identified infrastructure plateau as another barrier affecting access to libraries ICTs facilities. These include space, capacity (low bandwidth), funding and staff attitudes, as they limit the expansion of Internet access in USA libraries (McClure, Jaeger & Bertot 2007).

In his study, Oliver (2007) and Becker et al. (2010) found that some of the barriers limiting access to ICTs in US public libraries, and specifically Canada, were a lack of the following: computers and Internet connection at home, technical assistance from the libraries staff, confidence to use the facilities and training. A study by Monmouthshire libraries (2011) found that similar, but more specific set of barriers to ICTs take-up were limiting access to ICTs in public libraries. These were cost of ICTs services, inaccessibility of ICTs facilities, time limit and ageism. Meanwhile, the study by Chaplin (2002) found that the most common barriers to ICTs take-up in UK public libraries were:

Institutional barriers: Libraries charging policies may restrict or discourage certain sections of the community from using ICTs facilities available in the libraries. For instance, people who are on low income can be disadvantaged, as they cannot afford to pay for services such as printing and photocopying, which are available in libraries. Libraries opening hours can also be a barrier to ICTs uptake, if such hours are found to be unsuitable for a particular user group, such as day workers. For instance, libraries are open during the day, and closed at night, meaning that day workers may not have access to the facilities unless they use them on Saturdays when they are off duty.

Personal and social barrier: These include issues such as low income, poverty, issues pertaining to low self-esteem and forms of discrimination. These have the potential to prevent people from maximising the full benefits offered by ICTs. For instance, some people may not afford the costs associated with ICTs services, while others just lack confidence in themselves to use the ICTs in the libraries.

Perceptions and awareness: Some public library users, particularly old, uneducated, unemployed people, and people with lack of knowledge of how to use ICTs facilities, tend to think that libraries ICTs facilities are not for them or not relevant to their lives or needs.

48

These perceptions are most likely to negatively influence them not to use ICTs in libraries, thereby denying themselves the opportunity to be empowered by these facilities.

Environmental: These kinds of barriers include poor links to transport, the isolation problems experienced by rural communities and difficult physical access into and within buildings. For instance, people staying in an environment where there are no means of transportation are most likely to be deprived of the opportunity to visit libraries; hence, there is little chance for them to use public libraries ICTs facilities. This also applies to a situation where the library building itself is not user-friendly to a particular user group, such as the physically challenged, who need special facilities such as ramps to use the building. This user group may find it difficult to use the facilities if ramps are not there to allow wheelchairs to move freely to and from the building.

For the visually impaired users, the study by Mayhill (2002) found that they also faced a range of barriers that prevented them from using ICTs facilities in public libraries. These included lack of special facilities, such as Braille and talking books for the blind and visually impaired users. This view is also held by Burgstahler (2012), who identified lack of specialised computer facilities for blind users as also a barrier to ICTs take-up.

The situation in African public libraries is almost the same as that of the UK and US in as far as ICTs barriers are concerned. This is based on the fact that like in the UK and US, many barriers were found to be preventing users from maximising the full benefits offered by ICTs in public libraries. Studies by Chisenga (2006) and Alemneh and Hastings (2006) found that shortage of skilled manpower, lack of funds, poor telecommunications and infrastructure were among the obstacles affecting ICTs use or uptake in African public libraries in general.