Libraries and information: national development tools

Information is a crucial factor in national development and the ability to use information tools is considered a source of power (Bordban (n.d) in Malekabadizadeh, Shakraneh and Hosseini (2009). Information is a link pin of national development as suggested Achitabwino (2007) who later pointed out that for a nation to develop it needs to have and provide relevant, updated and adequate information on food, security, health, population, education, family planning, youth empowerment, gender equality, and environment among other sectors. The dogma that libraries are there for proper management, provision and dissemination of such information become a reality to achieve national development.  It therefore becomes apparent that the role of libraries in national development is unquestionable. The work endeavours to outline the critical role of libraries in national development, referring to circumstances in the Zimbabwean context. Discussion shall focus on the role of the public, academic and special libraries in fostering development and mentioning their roles in improving society’s thinking, shaping a knowledgeable people and impact of special libraries in economic growth. In addition the terms national development and library are to be defined to provide working definitions for this particular discussion.

 Adio and Olasina (2005) gave an elementary definition of library as “a collection of literary documents or record kept for reference or borrowing.” A more comprehensive definition was specified by Omojuwa (1993) in Adio and Olasina (2005) as a learned institution equipped with treasures of knowledge maintained, organised and managed by trained personnel to educate the children, men and women continuously and assist in their self-improvement through an effective and prompt dissemination of information embodied in the resources. A library is an instrument of self education, a means of knowledge and factual information, a centre of intellectual recreations and a beacon of enlighten that provides accumulated preserved knowledge of civilization which consequently enriches one’s mental vision and dignifies his habit, behaviour, character, taste, attitude, conduct and outlook on life (Islam (2004) in Adio and Olasina (2005). It can therefore be summed up that a library is an active information centre that collects, organise, preserve and disseminate information stores in different media to a target audience.

The Online Dictionary refer to national development as the ability of a nation to improve the social welfare of a people, for instance by providing social amenities, good education, water and environment. According to Mohammed (2001) national development simply implies the advancement or growth of a country especially socio-economically, politically, literally (educational), culturally and technologically. Rodney (1973) attests that development in human society is a many sided process. Malekabadizadeh, Shakraneh and Hosseini (2009) coin that development is gradual growth toward advancement and power . . . has economical, political, social and cultural aspects. Sharif al Nasabi (1996) in Malekabadizadeh, Shakraneh and Hosseini (2009) development is all actions that lead society toward an organised system of individual and collective living conditions relating to desirable values. Hudson (2007) stated that development . . .   means higher GDP’s, better quality of life and a state of national being and consciousness in which information and knowledge are both cause and effect. Several authors (Krolak, 2005; Pyati, 2009; Jain and Nfila, 2011 and Rodney, 1973) agree that development is both an economic and a social equation. The author conclude that national development point to the growth in political, economic, social and technological aspects of a nation and how they are positively affecting the people in daily life, business, environment life and competitiveness of these compared to other nations.

It is irrefutable fact that libraries and information centres play unquestionable role in national development through providing an integral component – information – required in decision-making and mapping the way forward in societies. Unagha and Okon (2006) in Jain and Nfila (2011) note that the role of libraries and information centres in disseminating information needed for formulating development programmes, addressing development problems and informing communities, as beneficiaries are crucial for national development programmes. Achitabwino (2006) assume that libraries are a pivotal point in democracy promotion and socio-economic development in a country. Phiri in Achitabwino (2007) argue that for democratic process to make sense, those that govern must be aware of the needs of those that are governed, whatever or whenever they.  This can only be achieved if the politicians and electorates are provided with information relating to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Zimbabwe has made significant strides to inform the electorates about government activities and projects through the establishment of Parliament Constituencies Information Centres (PCIC). PCICs play a critical role of informing the general public in a named constituency with information to spur development at the same time informing the Member of Parliament fort he respective constituency with demographic, economic, social and cultural information pertinent in drafting developmental projects. Further contribution by Achitabwino (2007) are that libraries are the corner stone of democracy in communities because they assist the public in locating diversity of resources and in developing the information literacy skills necessary to become responsible, informed citizen who can participant in democracy.

Okiy (2009) view national development as involving economic growth, modernization, equitable distribution of income and national resources and socio-economic transformation for improved living standards of people though the use of a country’s human, natural, and institutional resources. The defined parameters are achieved only by educated nationals who work toward achieving stated goals for instance the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). According to Okiy (2009) education is an instrument par excellence for national development . . .  it involves the development of the whole person intellectually, psychologically, socially, vocationally, religiously or morally. Achitabwino (2007) opine that libraries play a great role in national development through the support they offer to the education sector. Library services are needed to keep the skills that have been acquired through literacy classes alive by the provision of good literature (Adio and Olasina, 2005). The library is the focal point for literacy programmes and the librarian is concerned with those programmes to provide an effective information system to create a literate community. Nyangoni (1981) noted that the public library has particular value in relation to educational work, not only because of its widespread accessibility but also because of its general acceptability at all levels of society. The need for libraries to support adult education is crucial to initiate community centred development through providing information on agricultural techniques and crafts, health education, political education and food processing. This would have a positive impact in the community being served as it is likely to cause development. In Zimbabwe several such programmes has been launched to provide the rural folk with pertinent information through the bookmobile libraries under The National Library and Documentation Services (NLDS) in areas of Nyanga, and greater areas of Matebeleland among other places. In addition to this programme the other programme was initiated by the Rural Libraries and Resources Development Porgramme (RLRDP), a community based not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation. According to Moyo (2006) The RLRDP is generally active throughout Zimbabwe, with concentration in Manicaland and Matabeleland North Provinces. Other libraries are also dotted throughout the country. The significance of these programmes are that they are the only source where rural citizens can visit in order to get current news, access books to improve their academic education or access any knowledge necessary for self-development. Moyo (2006) further noted that libraries are capable of assisting nations address the MDGs. The role of education in national development is as good as the role of libraries such that Adio and Olasina (2005) concluded that ‘education’ and ‘libraries’ are two inseparable indivisible concepts, both being fundamentally and synchronically related to and co-existent with each other . . . both of them together are a means to an ultimate end.

The role of the public library is paired to national development through providing knowledge that is critical in shaping the community, developing workforce capacity and improving early literacy as well as school readiness. The public library has been identified as a natural partner in economic development. According to Nair (1995) public library is an institution which offers to people free access to information . . . to a large extent is related to the principle of access . . .  Unesco Manifesto for public library (1994) proclaims public library as an institution which is the principal means whereby the record of man’s thoughts and ideas and the expression of his creative imagination are made freely available to all. The objectives of public libraries are crucial roles in educational, economic, political, social, and cultural development of the country. The public library in Zimbabwe has supported the economic and social development by providing information at the right time to the right people. The role has also been assumed by local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have established information centres to make information available freely to locals in pursuit of information to fulfill different agendas.  For instance the Zimbabwe Women Resource Network (ZWRN) provides information regarding to human rights, gender violence and equality in order to change social and economic status.

Nair (1995) attests that economic growth is not possible without extensive use of scientific and technical know-how embodied in books, and other mediums . . . access to right book or information at the right time for scientist, engineer or agronomist could have multiplier effect on the economy. It is at this juncture that the role of special libraries becomes a cornerstone for development by collecting knowledge valuable to the engineers, entrepreneurs and scientist alike. A good example is the Empretec information centre that provides timely information to entrepreneurs and Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) about markets to provide urgent issues related to economic growth. Another information service worth mentioning is the Zimtrade Information centre that plays a pivotal role in supporting trade through providing local SMEs with trade information. Zimtrade has two functional information centres located in the metropolitan cities of Harare and Bulawayo. Ifidon (1998) affirms that libraries are the most important institutions that contribute to a nation’s economic and industrial development.

Achitabwino (2007) opine that there is need for management and provision of agricultural information to communities as a positive step towards improving the declining food security. Zimbabwe like most of the Southern African countries – Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa - depends on agriculture for economic development and poverty alleviation. Agricultural libraries become instrument institutions that provide information on climatic changes, crop production and available markets. Achitabwino (20070 affirms that agriculture is the backbone of nations and we need libraries to that can harness information on marketable crops, agri-business, agri-economics, diseases affecting crops and irrigation. The information if used intelligently would boost the economic investments giving rise to GDP and improved livelihood. The Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe has established libraries in different provinces and information workers to guide farming activities with up to date and correct information on farming activities with the aim of improving harvest that would have direct bearing on food exports and gearing toward achieving MDGs.  Information is critical in changing economic prosperity and if used wisely national development can be achieved. However there is need to invest in the libraries to continue providing a valuable service to sustain the growth.

Information is a valuable asset in fighting HIV/ AIDS in all nations and failure to disseminate information would thwart prevention and awareness programmes that are run by a wide community. A vibrate health sector needs a well-documented and organised health information meant for dissemination to users and potential users in order to consolidate health records, planning and management (Achitabwino, 2007). Libraries play an imperative role in national development through the support they offer to the health sector. Sithole (2011) underscored the role played by libraries and information centre in disseminating HIV and AIDS information as the strongest when they establish partnerships with other organisations already involved in dissemination and education activities. In actual fact access to health information is valuable for a creating a health human capital that contribute toward national development. Achitabwino (2007) recommended that with HIV/ AIDS pandemic retarding socio-economic growth measures to avoid the scourge and the enhancement of behaviour change can yield a positive impact if information on such issues was accessible to rural masses through rural libraries. It is envisaged by Sithole (2011) that libraries in Africa should expand the scope of information resources they collect and distribute to include, sources outside the role of traditional libraries, taking a leadership role in using ICTs for sharing digital materials, providing information in formats that are accessible and interesting to children and young adults who are making decisions about their own sexual behaviour.  In Zimbabwe several initiatives has been undertaken, first and foremost, with the SAFAIDS that has established HIV/AIDS information centre that continuously provide information to fight, prevent and more awareness. Other initiatives are undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in setting up information centre in hospitals, district clinics and rural clinics that provide information on diseases, prevention and medication.

According to Mchombu and Cadbury (2006) nations are creating strategies to ensure that information and knowledge are used effectively, shared and made accessible . . . to empower people to act as agents of their own development. Mchombu and Cadbury (2006) further articulate that development information, in particular, can enable people to fight poverty, deprivation and illiteracy. This is a clear testimony that underscores the role of libraries and information centres in national development. 

The foregoing discussion outlined the importance of libraries and information centres in economic growth, agricultural activities, health sector, education and SMEs as well as achieving MDGs. In the discussion information and knowledge has been considered as key ingredients for achieving national development and as such libraries are the key institutions entrusted with the selection, collection and dissemination of information. Therefore there role in national development is unquestionable and consequently require more funding to continue playing such a vital function. A lot should also be invested in the information personnel to be able to tackle head-on challenges posed by emerging information trends. In emphasizing the role of libraries and information centres in national development, Nkiko and Yusuf (2008) noted that “information is vital resource in stimulating socioeconomic development” and that “a society without developed libraries is tantamount to a person without a brain and memory” (Jain and Nfila, 2011). The public library has been identified as the most used and proper institution playing a fundamental and pivotal role in achieving national development through the various services it offer to the public in literacy, education, political role through promoting democracy and cultural functions. Basically the writer concurs with several authors (Achitabwino, 2007, Sithole, 2011, Mchombu and Cadbury, 2006, Hudson, 2007 and Nyongani, 1981) that libraries are instrumental for national development as they harness information which is considered an imperative component in the development cycle. Thus libraries and information centres are crucial for national development.

Reference

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