The role of libraries in the dissemination of health information in Botswana
| Autor: | Tuelo Ntlotlang, Balulwami Grand |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
education.field_of_study
HRHIS business.industry 05 social sciences Population Library and Information Sciences Public relations Public health informatics Outreach Nonprobability sampling Exhibition 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Health education 030212 general & internal medicine 0509 other social sciences 050904 information & library sciences business education Health policy |
| Zdroj: | Library Review. 65:320-349 |
| ISSN: | 0024-2535 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/lr-05-2015-0051 |
| Popis: | Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of public libraries in the dissemination of health information in the southern part of Botswana, namely, Kgatleng and Kweneng districts. It also explored how these libraries market health information services to the community they serve. The study also used health information acquisition model to get an understanding on how public library users seek health information. Design/methodology/approach The survey research design was chosen for the study and purposive sampling procedure was used to obtain the sample size of the population. The sample size consisted of 120 respondents and six interviewees. Data were collected from both library staff and users using questionnaires and interviews. Findings The results of the study showed that public libraries are striving to provide accurate and useful health information to members of the community by collecting and availing both print and electronic health information sources. The findings further indicated that public libraries have marketing programmes that they use on raising awareness of health information to their clientele. The marketing programmes include outreach, library brochures/leaflets, newsletters and library exhibitions. The results of the study also showed that there were some challenges that hindered the library users to access and use health information (e.g. lack of appropriateness of information resources and limited number of health information sources). Originality/value For a better dissemination of health information, public libraries should establish working relationships with health agencies and communication organisations or media houses with the objective of cooperative developments of collections, referrals and shared training. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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