Digital Library Appropriation in the Context of SubSaharan Countries: the Case of eGranary Digital Library Implementation

Abstract

Users of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the developing world encounter these technologies within their own situated, dynamic contexts. Their interactions with the technology are explicitly and implicitly affected by their political, cultural, infrastructural and socio-economic environments. In this poster, I present findings from ongoing sets of interviews with eGranary intermediary donors and agents, operating in ten sub-Saharan countries. eGranary is an offline library collection of open-source Web material, designed for use in environments with irregular or no Internet connectivity. However little is known of the ICT's impact on communities, users' knowledge practices, or its wider effects, e.g. on pedagogy. Prior to establishing communications with end users, this study takes a preparatory step of consulting with Mediators in the field. These interviewees are familiar with eGranary's technology and their users' contexts, expectations and needs. Findings from this research will better inform the structure, content and tone of planned future communications and questionnaires.