Bongiwe Chigumbu

Bongiwe Chigumbu is Assistant Director: Libraries, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Library Service. She graduated her B.Bibl, Library and information science degree at Fort Hare University in 1994 and was appointed by NMBM as a librarian in charge of Kwamagxaki branch in 1995, which is in one of the locations in the city. In 2004 she was appointed the Assistant Director: Libraries. Bongiwe has been very active in Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA); former regional chairperson and former deputy Chair at provincial level of (LIASA) from 1999 - 2002. She has participated in the study of German libraries in 2003 August, sponsored by Goethe Institute; she also participated in International Visitor leadership programme ( IVLP) that explored the libraries and library systems in the United States of America in 2008. Bongiwe is currently studying a masters degree in developmental studies with Nelson Mandela Municipality University (NMMU).

The impact of library and information services in the multiple disadvantaged communities within

the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

The paper intends to describe the impact of public and university library and information services in multiple disadvantaged communities within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality ( NMBM) in South Africa. An introduction of the historical background of the NMBM and gaps in developmental areas will be followed by a description of the practical interventions and role that both library and information services provide in order to benefit the multiple disadvantaged communities in this metropolitan municipality.

The conclusion will focus on envisaged library and information services projects that will into the future further engage these library and information services in community development .Current shortcomings on library provision as faced by the library and information services will be examined with the aim of forging future library partners from the UK libraries for example through the Chartered Institute of Library Professionals and the Public Library Authorities and any other UK Library bodies . In this way the NMBM libraries could learn best practices on library and information provision towards the development of its communities.