PATRON BEHAVIOURAL CHALLENGES: A FOCUS ON VIOLENCE IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES WITHIN GWERU, ZIMBABWE

PATRON BEHAVIOURAL CHALLENGES: A FOCUS ON VIOLENCE IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES WITHIN GWERU, ZIMBABWE

MTHOKOZISI MASUMBIKA NCUBE

In Zimbabwe, the constitution indicates the freedom of expression, at the same time noting the
need for individuals to respective individual rights, including non-violent behaviours towards
others in the process of one’s expression. In addition, different legislative acts have been
instituted to prevent and alleviate violence within communities. For instance, public libraries
are governed by the National Library Documentation Services that stipulates conduct of library
staff members and patrons. Since several public libraries are managed by local authorities,
there are also bylaws that indicate the kind of behaviour that individual stakeholders are
supposed to conform to. In addition, libraries have their own rules and regulation that specify
on the kind of conduct and behaviour that staff and patrons are supposed to conform to.
Conversely, even with these legislations, policies, procedures, rules and regulations, public
libraries in Zimbabwe still face several behavioural challenges, including violent behaviour
from patrons and community members. Regrettably, there has been inadequate literature and
research around violence in libraries within a Zimbabwe context. Even within the global
context, there is lack of contemporary research on violence within public libraries. Therefore,
using a case of Gweru public libraries in Zimbabwe, this study endeavoured to reveal the causes
of violent behaviour within such libraries. Furthermore, the premise of the study was also to
expose the effects of violent behaviour within the libraries, as well as mitigation strategies that
the libraries could put in place to address violent behaviour.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

2019