Evaluation of community learning centres
In one comprehensive GK the librarian had all types of training. In another comprehensive GK, the librarian had training in all except child development and management. Eight librarians had training only in library. The rest had training in library and in advanced and basic computer.
13.2 Information on GKs
Number and distribution of members/users by type: In total there were 7,498 members in 18 GKs with 6,095
students and general members (Table 13.2). The share of adult members (13.3%) was much lower than that in our sample (41%). The share of females among adult members was also lower (29%
against 37% in our sample).
13.3 Pattern of utilisation of library
On average of 18 libraries, 80% of students used library with no significant difference among boys and girls. Among the general population 33% went to library. This was an average estimate from the responses of 18 librarians. There was a large variation in responses with respect to general users. Maximum was 60% as reported by three centres, and minimum was 8%. Around 40% of the centres reported that the proportion of users varied between 50 and 60%. This is contrary to the survey data on the use pattern. In the survey of 18 GKs, a higher rate of participation of adults (69%) was observed.
Wide variations in the intensity of use among different centres were reported by librarians. Maximum number was 80 and minimum 20 (Table 13.3). Only three centres had low regular visitors – two had 20 and one had 25. All the three centres are from advanced area and established during 2002-2006. This is also confirmed by our survey data where intensity of use was lower in advanced areas and old GKs.
All the centres had children’s corner and it was highly appreciated by both parents and children from class I-VI.
Mobile libraries were present in 12 centres. On average, female members were 26 and male members were 11 with a high degree of variation. Most of the mobile users were women and their education level was mostly SSC. The minimum education level was read up to Class III and maximum was Class X. As mentioned in Section 7, this is contrary to what our data on mobile library. In our survey data, 36 of 42
Table 13.2 Distribution of members by type
General Student Type
No Male Female Male female No of members 708 295 3003 3492
Percent 71 29 46 54 (Total no. of members = 7498)
Table 13.3 Number of regular visitors Regular visitors Percent
Max 80
Minimum 20
Mean 52.50
Mode 60
Std. Deviation 16.019
Evaluation of community learning centres
members (86%) had just completed primary education and below primary. As mentioned before, survey data are more reliable because they are reported by the respondents themselves, whereas librarian information was based on their assumption. No records were kept on education of members.
In response to the ques- tion on trends in the use of GK, all librarians men- tioned an increasing trend and it is mainly because of public interest in reading books and news- papers and also com- puter/TV (Table 13.4).
A variety of books are available, on average 293 books. People read mostly storybooks, magazines, religious books (general population), and biography. In mobile library, there was extra demand for religious books, story/novel and health/cook books.
Most common activities were reading books (64%) and using children’s corner (36%). There is a high demand for different computer/
internet/TV, musical/sport items and different types of new books (Table 13.5).
These are somewhat different from the survey. In survey data, books and computer have more impor- tance. There are differences be- tween survey data and librarian information in the use of computer programmes. In survey data, a high percentage (76%) was for MS Word. In librarian data, a more equal distribution among pro- grammes was observed with Excel, graphics and CDs gaining substan- tial importance (Table 13.6). Only students use computer.
Table 13.4 Reasons for increased use of library Responses Reasons
N Percent Public interest in reading books and newspapers 17 56.7 Children’s corner/sport/game facilities 3 10 Social and cultural activities/musical instruments 3 10
Computer/TV 7 23.3
Total 30 100
Table 13.5 Demand for extra services Responses Demands N Percent Newly published books/
magazines/English paper 11 24.4 Religious books 5 11.1 Reference books/dictionary/science 2 4.4 Computer, satellite TV/internet 14 31.1 Musical and sport items 11 24.4 Access to safe water 2 4.4
Total 45 100
Table 13.6 Computer programme mostly used
Responses
Most used items N Percent
MSWord 5 38.5
PPT 1 7.7
Printing facilities 1 7.7
Excel/graphics 3 23.1
CD 3 23.1
Evaluation of community learning centres
GKs are supposed to have similar objectives and guidelines as set by BRAC together with local organisers. We asked the librarians what steps they took to fulfil the objectives. There were 40 responses from 18 librarians. Of these, 28% had named publicity in different forms, communication with people, and meetings followed by increase in members. Other steps include computer/TV/internet, training facilities and raising funds for books (Table 13.7).
13.4 Steps to be taken to fulfil the objectives of the programme Table 13.7 Opinions of librarians about the steps
Responses Steps
N Percent
Publicity/communications/meeting 11 27.5
Encourage reading habits 8 20 Increase number of members/renewal of membership 5 12.5
Training facilities 3 7.5
Introduce mobile unit 2 5
TV/computer/internet 3 7.5
Celebrate important national events 2 5 Librarian should be active in management and polite in dealings 2 5
Raising funds/books 3 7.5
Increase number of services and improve quality of services 1 2.5
Total 40 100
We also asked about the indicators they used to measure performance. Out of 51 responses the main ones were for increased number of members (23.5%), regular issue of books (21.6%), computer/TV/micro museums, and increased reading habits among users (Table 13.8).
Table 13.8 Indicators of performance
Responses Indicator of success
N Percent Regular issue of books 11 21.6
reading habits among users 7 13.7 Maintaining opening hours/good management of library 5 9.8 Increased number of member/user 12 23.5 Computer/TV/micro museum 7 13.7
Training facilities 2 3.9
Social awareness 3 5.9
Empowerment of women 4 7.8
Total 51 100
The librarians were very confident about sustainability of the centres. They also added that it was important to raise local funds, increase number of members, computer/TV/internet and training facilities, and awareness among committee members.
Evaluation of community learning centres
13.5 Personal experience of librarians
Fifty percent of the librarians experienced no problem in carrying out their duties.
Those who faced problems sometimes consulted BRAC staff or committee members or headmasters. Ninety-four per cent thought that library was a safe place to work.
Both librarians and general population considered that the honorarium for the librarians was too low as found in the survey and FGDs. The librarians were asked about non-monetary incentives that they considered important good work. We expected an answer that would reflect librarians’ own gain. However, most of the responses we received were related to services of library. About 32% of the responses were for librarian themselves such as for more training for librarians, extra personal benefits regarding their children, and opportunity for running a small shop (Table 13.9).
Table 13.9 Non-monetary incentives to the librarian
Responses Incentives
N Percent More training facilities for librarian 6 18.8 Extra personal benefits for librarian/children’s education 2 6.3
Renewal membership 2 6.3
TV/computer/internet/sport items 10 31.3
More books/papers 5 15.6
Frequent meeting of committee members/active committee and BRAC staff 3 9.4 Opportunity to run a small stationery shop 2 6.3
Smoke-free environment 2 6.3
Total 32 100
One of many benefits of library or community centres is em- powerment of women. In this respect, changes in the lives of librarians are important impacts.
All librarians mentioned that meeting different people had enriched their lives. They appre- ciated that sometimes people came just to visit them. Sixteen out of 18 librarians felt an enhanced status in society and family. Although the honorarium
of librarian is meagre, 50% of them mentioned that they had benefited economically.
Table 13.10 Changes in lives of librarians
Changes No of
Librarians Economic benefits 9 Enhanced social/family status 16 Meet different people 18
Improved skill 9
Own awareness about child development 3
Reading habits 1
Increased ability to express 1 Additional opportunities for earning income 2 Total (18 librarians) 59
Evaluation of community learning centres
The librarians are aware of their social roles, and are very positive about the effects of library on the local community. Multiple responses on various benefits are reported.
The highest number was for empowerment of women followed by impact on youths, participation in social activities and in creative work Table 13.11).
Table 13.11 Opinions of librarians on impact of GK on the community
Impact No of responses
Reduce illiteracy 8
Changing behaviour and activities of youths 12 Participation in creative work 9 Participation in social and cultural activities 11
Empowerment of women 13
Reading habits 6
Cognitive and non-cognitive development of youths 1 Increased income earning opportunities 1
Total 61