Provision of business information services by public libraries to small-scale business enterprises
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNISA
Abstract
This study explored the business information services offered to small-scale business
enterprises (SBEs) by public libraries in Meru County, Kenya. Public libraries are community
information centres, hence well-placed to serve the small-scale business community. A
quantitative approach and survey research design were adopted. Data were collected from
296 SBE traders and 20 staff members from three public libraries in Meru County using
well-structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with the help
of SPSS software while a thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. The provision
of business information services to SBEs in public libraries was in a desolate state owing
to inadequate business collections, the lack of sufficient information and communications
technology (ICT) facilities, poor awareness of business information services, a poor
reading culture, and weak collaborations of public libraries with stakeholders. There is an
indispensable need to establish insightful and holistic business information services at public
libraries and to institute measures that would foster their utilisation by SBEs. This can be
achieved by elevating library facilities, enhancing outreach programmes, ensuring adequate
funding, engaging knowledgeable business services librarians, embracing ICT in service
delivery, and by having an appropriate policy framework.
Description
Mousaion, 2017; 35 (3)
Keywords
Business information, Information for development, Business information, Public libraries, Small-scale business enterprises