Electronic governance and hybrid libraries in Namibia

Abstract

A nation that is information empowered is capable of contributing to the democratic process. Governments are realizing more the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as governing tools. Libraries have always been valued institutions within societies as trusted sources of information; and are becoming e-government access points relied on by both the patrons and government agencies (Jaeger and Fleischmann, 2007). They assist in finding information and some provide computer access and free Internet access. It is not surprising that with electronic governance (e-governance), libraries; in particular public libraries are expected to provide citizens with access and guidance in using e-government websites, forms and services. The paper is based on a study commissioned by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and carried out by the Department of Information and Communication Studies in 2009 on electronic governance and hybrid libraries in Africa. One of the study objectives was to investigate the existence and the role of hybrid libraries in e-governance in Africa. The study, which included a survey of several southern African countries and a case study of Namibia, employed the use of questionnaires for data collection. The paper focuses on the Namibian case study. The authors conclude that there is great potential for libraries to provide and promote e-governance but this is faced with many challenges, which include technological and human and financial resources.

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