Content development in an indigenous digital library: A case study in community participation

Africa and African libraries and information centres are poorly equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the current global digital knowledge economy. Low local content on the Web retards buy-in from local communities into digital resources and inhibits development of digital skills. A library with content of local relevance will encourage communities to make use of library services, especially if they are empowered to participate in development of the content. Public libraries serving ethnic communities whose histories are locked up in written, pictorial and oral traditions are well positioned to provide a platform for public engagement in the collecting and disseminating of indigenous knowledge in the communities they serve. This paper presents a case study in community participation in developing content for a digital library of local indigenous knowledge. Description of the programme highlights interaction between the library, the community and the technology used. Implementation challenges, results and lessons learnt are discussed and benefits to the community pointed out. In providing an online, contextually-based information service to local communities, public libraries in Africa will ensure future-oriented access to cultural heritage resources through 21 st century information communication technologies (ICTs). The potential to reduce the digital divide will be enhanced and African communities will be introduced to the global information society.