Measuring up: public libraries discovering their impact in Zimbabwe

Kanengoni, Jean Sarurai

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132578 Copy

Description

Title

Measuring up: public libraries discovering their impact in Zimbabwe

Author(s)

Kanengoni, Jean Sarurai

Issue Date

2025-12-05

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Knox, Emily

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Knox, Emily

Committee Member(s)

• Bonn, Maria
• Barnes, Teresa
• Dent, Valeda

Department of Study

Information Sciences

Discipline

Library & Information Science

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Zimbabwe Public Libraries Impact Assessment

Language

eng

Abstract

This study examines the knowledge of Zimbabwean public librarians and their stakeholders regarding impact assessment, including how they collect, utilize, and acquire information to enhance library services and programs. The study provides an overview of the history and challenges faced by public libraries in Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as the Zimbabwe Library Association. The literature review defines impact assessment and discusses its application in public libraries in both the Global North and the Global South The study employed document analysis to analyze the impact assessment in public libraries, library institutions and academic institutions in Zimbabwe (Kanengoni, 2023). I analyzed public library reports, government reports on public libraries, library conference proceedings, and library school syllabi to answer my research question (Kanengoni, 2023). The study addressed the following areas using an impact assessment knowledge table for analysis: • What do the public library and its stakeholders in Zimbabwe know about public library impact assessment? • How the public library and its stakeholders in Zimbabwe conduct impact assessment. • How the public library and its stakeholders in Zimbabwe use impact data and • How the public library and its stakeholders in Zimbabwe learn about impact assessment and develop their capacity (Kanengoni, 2023). The results showed that public libraries in Zimbabwe do not measure, utilize, or learn about impact assessment metrics. Consequently, public libraries in Zimbabwe lack the information needed to advocate for funding, staff, resources, or technology. The study concludes with recommendations for establishing a culture of impact assessment in public libraries and identifies future research areas in impact assessment in public libraries in Zimbabwe.  

Graduation Semester

2025-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132578

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Jean Kanengoni

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