Socio-economic benefits of conditional grants in public libraries in the Heidelberg and Sicelo communities, in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

Conditional grants have changed the public library space by giving the South African society free access to knowledge and information that assist in improving the socio-economic situation of individuals using public libraries and the communities at large. A public library plays an important role in a community through information access, reading programmes, space for activities, study areas, computer access, and a social space for the community, especially in previously disadvantaged areas. Therefore, it is important for public libraries to receive conditional grants. The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) (2006) states that the grant’s purpose is to transform urban and rural infrastructure, facilities, and services, especially in previously disadvantaged areas. The purpose of the study is to investigate the socio-economic benefits of the Library Conditional Grant in public libraries in the Heidelberg and Sicelo communities in Gauteng, South Africa. The study adopted the conceptual framework formed by the Batho Pele principles, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the theory of change framework, as the concepts. The research paradigm adopted in the study is the positivist approach. The research approach followed was a quantitative research approach and the research design was a survey. Systematic random sampling was used to select 254 respondents consisting of officials and library users from the national Department of Arts and Culture, Gauteng Provincial Library Service, Lesedi Local Municipality, Midvaal Local Municipality, Heidelberg public library, Heidelberg community, Sicelo public library, and Sicelo community. Data were collected from respondents using a questionnaire as the data collection tool. The findings of the study indicated that (a) there is a budget allocation through the Library Conditional Grant for library staff appointment in both Heidelberg and Sicelo libraries; (b) library users are aware of the services offered at libraries but not the community at large due to a lack of marketing; (c) books are procured on an annual basis and libraries have adequate and up to date stock; (d) library programmes are offered and implemented to the Heidelberg and Sicelo communities; (e) library halls of both the Heidelberg and Sicelo libraries are utilised by the local community structures according to the respondents; (f) challenges include slow infrastructure implementation in terms of construction of new libraries, filling of vacant positions and supply chain management; and (g) on guidance, respondents suggest the permanent appointment of staff at the Heidelberg library, filling vacant positions, and maintenance of libraries, amongst other things. This study recommends that: (a) vacancies should be filled to ensure efficient library service delivery; (b) procurement of outside furniture to accommodate library users that visit Heidelberg and Sicelo libraries to access Wi-Fi; (c) Library Conditional Grant should continue to allocate budget for implementation of library programmes; (d) library halls of both Heidelberg and Sicelo libraries need to be marketed to ensure maximum utilisation by the community structures; (e) consider using the Library Conditional Grant to erect a gaming room with tablets for children in the Sicelo library; and (f) permanent appointment of staff at the Heidelberg library. The study further recommends that another study be conducted to investigate the impact of the Library Conditional Grant in public libraries located in rural areas across South Africa. This study will assist in the professional implementation of a workable model for the implementation of the Library Conditional Grant. The study will also assist in determining whether the Library Conditional Grant is impacting rural communities in terms of empowering members socially and economically.