Tsoga O Itirele Bakgoma Community library as a model for rural libraries in South Africa

Abstract

With inadequate provision of community libraries in Limpopo province, citizens in disadvantaged rural communities need to wake up and do it for themselves. However, establishing a library in rural setting is a highly complex and difficult task due to challenges such as lack of funding, resources, infrastructure, electricity and roads. The purpose of this case study was to explore the process of establishing a library facility in the rural area with the view to capture lessons learnt, as well as the efforts by the villagers to identify a building to serve as a library. The community library serves as a model for other communities in a rural setting. To collect in-depth data from the participants, the study adopted a qualitative research approach. The participants were interviewed telephonically and a structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Before data were collected, the researchers obtained ethical clearance. Only half of the sixteen board members were available for interviews. One of the researchers visited the library twice. Data were analysed thematically. To ensure anonymity, the participants are referred as “Participant” followed by a letter as follows: Participant A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Lessons learnt from the establishment of Bakgoma Community Library are captured and can be useful to other rural communities in developing libraries.