Reaching the grassroots? The case of the Botswana Library Association

Abstract

The Botswana Library Association (BLA) is predominately profession centered. The objectives as written in the constitution do not encourage or guide the association towards the consideration of grassroots citizens. Several activities that could have had an impact on the grassroots have been considered over the years. However, not much success has been recorded. The association is bedeviled with many obstacles in striving to achieve the desired impact. There is lack of funding for projects; the association is run by volunteers leading to discontinuity; some members of the profession have dissociated themselves from the association, while others have decided to form other independent entities that basically play the same role that BLA should play. BLA needs to take bold steps and use more money to promote visibility by engaging the grassroots populations. There is also the need to pool resources in the profession to achieve positive results.

Innovation Vol. 31 2005: 37-49