Describes functions of Sahel Documentation Center established at Michigan State University (MSU) in September 1976, with support of grant from U.S. Agency for International Development to Department of Agricultural Economics, MSU Library, and MSU African Studies Center. Filming of the collection and its contents, including U.S. government…

The two papers in this document on social science libraries were presented at the 1984 IFLA general conference. In "Library and Continuing Education with Implications for Developing Countries: A Research Essay," David R. Bender (United States) examines factors impacting upon the skills necessary for effective librarianship in the social…

This description of the Botswana National Library Service (B.N.L.S.) with its central headquarters and 13 branches provides insights into communication problems, development of services, and clientele in an area where books and reading are still a new exciting idea. (MBR)

Papers on library acquisitions, special collections development, and special training for serials librarianship, presented at the 1984 IFLA general conference, include: (1) "The Development of the African Collection at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and Its Importance for the Cultural History of African Countries"…

This document is concerned with the practice of conservation of library materials in African university libraries south of the Sahara and north of the Limpopo. Data were collected using a questionnaire mailed to 42 university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Responses were received from 27 libraries for a 64% response rate. Data analysis was…

This paper presents ways in which libraries with a special emphasis on area studies handle the classification of their materials in order to provide a geographical approach to their collections. The systems described are those developed and used in six libraries in Great Britain and South Africa. (17 references) (Author/EJS)

Discusses how academic libraries and librarians in developing countries can contribute to the creation of self-directed learners and self-reliant researchers, especially among nontraditional students. The library role in independent learning programs and the collection size and library skills instruction required to meet learner needs are…

Library collections are generally ill equipped to effectively support foreign area students. This bibliography, one of a series on "neglected" foreign areas, attempts to provide guidelines for libraries in meeting these resources needs. Selection of entries was made according to the following guidelines: 1) few works in languages other…

Discusses the importance of oral tradition in African culture; describes efforts to collect, organize, and disseminate oral tradition; and highlights associated problems. It is concluded that librarians in Africa should place greater emphasis on oral tradition as a supplement to documentary sources. (18 references) (MES)

The five papers in this collection on art and music environments in developing countries were presented at the 1984 IFLA general conference. (1) In "Developing an Art for Life's Sake," Gavin Jantjes, a black South African artist currently living and working in the United Kingdom, offers personal viewpoints on issues relating to the art…

Choosing texts, media, and literature about Africa is a difficult task for school librarians who have not studied Africa in detail; however it is possible to evaluate the available materials on the basis of several important criteria. These include the authority of the author, the dates of preparation and publication, and the accuracy of…

This guide to the theory and practice of map classification begins with a discussion of the filing of maps and the function of map classification based on area and theme as illustrated by four maps of Africa. The description of the various classification systems which follows is divided into book schemes with provision for maps (including Dewey…

From the varied spectrum of African periodical publishing, a selection of particular interest - an annotated bibliography of English-language titles produced wholly (or mainly) by Africans in Africa. (Editor/JB)

This discussion of the oral history and oral tradition of Africa covers the nature of oral archives, theoretical objections to validity of oral tradition and oral history as historical sources, value of oral archives for African countries, accessibility of oral archives, and strategies for improved access. Footnotes are provided. (EJS)