Access Reframed: The Role of Human-Computer Interaction in African Public Library Innovation and Transformation.
This study critically explores the transformative potential of human-computer interaction (HCI) in reimagining African public libraries as dynamic, user-centered, and culturally grounded spaces. Based on a literature review and comparative analysis of libraries across several African countries, the...
| Publicado en: | Information Technology & Libraries Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 1 - 13 |
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| Autores principales: | , |
| Formato: | research Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
American Library Association
Jun2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194752197&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 194752197 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 07309295 ITL jtl: Information Technology & Libraries issn: 07309295 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Jun2026 vid: 45 iid: 2 pid: 55 pub: American Library Association place: Chicago, Illinois artinfo: ui: 194752197 194752197 194752197 10.5860/ital.v45i2.17410 194752197 ppf: 1 ppct: 12 formats: fmt: @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Access Reframed: The Role of Human-Computer Interaction in African Public Library Innovation and Transformation. aug: au: Bouaamri, Asmaa Otike, Fredrick affil: University Librarian and Researcher, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology sug: subj: User-Computer Interface Evaluation Libraries, Public Africa Diffusion of Innovation Library Services Africa Digital Technology Utilization Access to Information Human Africa Qualitative Studies Case Studies Comparative Studies Electronic Publications Libraries Private Sector Public Sector Collaboration Interinstitutional Relations Computer Literacy ab: This study critically explores the transformative potential of human-computer interaction (HCI) in reimagining African public libraries as dynamic, user-centered, and culturally grounded spaces. Based on a literature review and comparative analysis of libraries across several African countries, the research investigates how HCI principles can enhance user engagement, usability, and inclusivity, particularly in multilingual, resource-constrained, and postcolonial contexts. The paper situates libraries as sociotechnical infrastructures that mediate between technology, local knowledge systems, and community needs, and argues for the importance of participatory and culturally responsive design approaches in library digitization efforts. The findings highlight significant gaps in current implementations of HCI within library services, including the lack of localized interfaces and limited user involvement in design processes. The study concludes by offering practical recommendations for integrating HCI into library development strategies and advocating for the cocreation of digital public spaces that reflect and empower Africa's diverse knowledge ecologies. In doing so, the paper contributes to the growing discourse on decolonial approaches to technology and the future of public libraries in the digital age. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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