Emergence of knowledge commons in Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality libraries, Free State, South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the emergence of knowledge commons Thabo Mofutsanyana District public libraries in South Africa in order to understand how ICT and communitarian ethos are facilitating the implantation of delivery of digital services to the library users’ community. The study employed mixed-methods and triangulated sample survey to collect data. Out of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District population, 180 library users, 16 community leaders and 17 library officials were sampled. The researcher used a probability and non-probability sampling technique to select the respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire and in-depth interview guides respectively. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and nonlinear factor analyses approaches, while thematic coding was used to analysed qualitative data. The major findings of the study indicate that the respondents were satisfied about the transformation in their libraries and the emergence of knowledge commons which consists of rule changes, community involvement, and improved biophysical condition such as technology infrastructure, online resources and physical spacing among others. However, the results also indicated challenges which were brought by the emergence of knowledge commons. The study concludes that the rapid transformation in these public libraries compelled them to change the manner in which they used to function. It was recommended that in order to maintain success, community involvement, rules, incentives, equality, and other factors should be considered to promote sustainability. This study proposes that since some of the public libraries have Makerspaces in their spaces, researching the significance of the Makerspaces in the public libraries of South Africa is proposed.