ABSTRACT
The promotion of lifelong learning (LLL) through information literacy (IL) is all learning activity under taken throughout life with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competences within a personal, civic, social and/or employment related perspective.
This study reports on survey carried out on ten (10) Regional Public Libraries in Ghana investigating the promotion of LLL through IL. The study used the single case method. The sample size of the population for the study was 376 comprising the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Regional Librarians, staff belonging to the library class in the regional libraries and the registered readers in the regional libraries.
Copies of questionnaire were completed by the staff belonging to the library class of the regional libraries and a sample of registered users of the regional libraries. Interviews were also conducted with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Regional Librarians.
The results indicate that majority of the users are unaware of any IL activities being organized by the GhLA. They however, expressed interest in any programme that will help to develop their skills in information search and use. The study also reveals that majority of the staff lack the capacity to train users in IL due to their level of education. It has also come to light that there is no LLL and IL policy in the GhLA. This has led to the Regional Libraries providing IL services in a sporadic and uncoordinated manner. There is also the lack of funds and ICT equipment for the promotion of LLL through IL.
Suggestions to improve promoting LLL through IL in public libraries in Ghana include the following: the development of Information Literacy, the use of various promotion methods to
promote Lifelong Learning and Information Literacy, training of staff for IL and establishment of good relations and collaboration with other agencies to enhance implementation, evaluation, assessment and funding of ICT programmes.
.
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
Lifelong learning (LLL) is inevitable for human survival and sustainable progress. It is a learning process which enables individuals and society to adapt to collective change and to the prevailing technological, economic circumstances and experiences of the times. These changes demand a simultaneous and corresponding change in human behaviour and change in attitudes and mindsets to be able to meet the changing needs of life. Thus, a society which is not learning to learn how to survive progress and sustain its achievements, is reclining or moribund. Lifelong learning is, therefore, the preoccupation of every responsible society and individuals. Lifelong learning allows individuals with lower educational levels to aspire to attain high qualifications. It gives them hope, self- efficiency and a sense of purpose in life. Economically, it makes people marketable on the job market and also individuals who hitherto would be earning meager salaries now get increase in their salaries (Hildebrand, 2008). Hildebrand, further identifies three potential benefits of lifelong learning which include:
- Sharpening of the mind.
As one is getting older, continuous learning helps to keep the mind sharp and improve memory. It is a known fact that learning in general has beneficial effects on the brain. Research has shown
that people with more education and read regularly are less likely to have dementia in old age.
- Sharpening confidence.
Sometimes, when someone has not stepped out of their routine for a while, they have not taken on a new challenge or really applied themselves to learning something new, they may find the experience a bit daunting. With LLL this fear is more easily overcome. LLL helps to gain confidence in ability to learn and to share the information with others; gain confidence in who we are and what we have to offer.
- Sharpening interpersonal skills
Through LLL, older adults are meeting new people, forging friendships and relationships with others, and enjoying an active social life. LLL is a brilliant way to keep in touch with people, meet new friends, and enjoy life surrounded by the company of folks who are truly embracing the excitement of our later years. LLL keeps us involved as active contributors to society.
Lifelong learning is enhanced by information literacy. Information literacy (IL) thrives in a resource-based learning environment (Hancock, 1993) and forms the basis for lifelong learning. IL is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning. An information literate individual is able to:
- Determine the extent of information needed
- Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
- Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
- Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally (Association of College and Research Libraries,2006)
In a knowledge economy, for a person, a society or a country to progress on a sustainable basis, there is the need for the populace to imbue, acquire and employ all of the sets of competencies and skills. One such important skill is that of IL. The Association of College and Research Libraries (2000) defines information literacy as “the set of skills to access, evaluate ,organize, and use information from a variety of sources”.
To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. Information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how information is organized, how to find information and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them (The American Library Association, 1989).
An information literate person must be prepared for lifelong learning, because he/she can always find the information for any task or decision at hand. It means, therefore, that lifelong learning depends to a large extent on information literacy (IL). IL enables people to determine their information needs, find, evaluate and apply the required information to solve problems in life or address the emerging trends in life. Hence, for lifelong learning to be meaningful, IL is a sine qua non. There is, therefore the need to promote lifelong learning through well-orchestrated IL frameworks and programmes. Citizens need to be equipped with the requisite IL skills to be able to know their exact information needs, where to find it, how to retrieve or store the information,
the ability to analyze, verify and add value to the information and how to disseminate, communicate or apply the information, ethically and legally. One may therefore, argue that, there is a strong correlation between LLL and IL. (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, 2009 )
One of the major institutions that promote IL and LLL is the public library. Therefore its role in the promotion of LLL and IL cannot be underestimated. The public library by International Federation of Library Association and Institutions/United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (IFLA/UNESCO) standards is the gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for LLL, independent decision making and social grouping. A public library is established to provide the information needs of the general public as it is regarded as the dynamic and premiere community access point designed to proactively respond to a multitude of ever changing information needs (Koontz and Gubbin, 2010). A public library has been likened to a people’s university or the University of the Poor. This is because the public library is open to all and sundry, irrespective of one’s status in society, occupation, age, sex and religion (IFLA, 2012).
