Public libraries constitute an important part of social life and are crucial for supporting the educational system in any society. However, in many African countries, awareness of the role that public libraries can play in strengthening the social contract is largely unrecognized. This may be partly due to the social background that was/is based…

Purpose: Public libraries play a pivotal role in supporting education and literacy. They provide numerous services, activities, collections and resources for education and leisure. Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) is an international renowned public library that provides numerous services for different users worldwide. E-learning is an emergent and…

This research article explores the concept that libraries as communication centres in sub-Saharan Africa can play a vital role in bringing poverty relief by providing greater access to information through modern technology. It discusses the patrons who can benefit from community information centres and explores their particular needs. I have…

This paper draws on data collected at the Kitengesa Community Library in Masaka District of Uganda to discuss some of the different literacies that are important in African environments. First, the literacies associated with different languages are analysed, these being classified as "supralanguages" (English in Uganda), "lingua…

Libraries in tropical Africa, their problems in serving patrons, and their attitudes towards readers are analyzed. (JAB)

Services provided by the National Central Library in Dar es Salaam are: a fully organized public reference and lending service for both adults and children, a central book processing and supply unit, and a central advisory service. The Tanganyika Library Service also provides: branch libraries, rural mobile library services, loan of collections to…

Examines the role which libraries and librarians can play in making the teaching and learning of French as a second language more effective in West African secondary schools and explains why there should be close co-operation between teachers of French and librarians. (Author)

Library development in colonial tropical Africa was closely tied with economic potentiality. Thus, in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, libraries were established as agents of economic exploitation (agricultural, mineral), agents of political education, and instruments for cultural diffusion. "Public" libraries were also used…

This essay reviews the functions of the Tanzanian National Central Library (NCL) and evaluates the activities performed and services provided by the NCL in light of the definitions of national library functions established by UNESCO and by K. W. Humphreys, Librarian of the University of Birmingham. The relationship between the NCL and the…

The theme of this week-end conference was chosen in order to impress the Government and other authorities concerned on the necessity of libraries and librarians as an integral part of national planning. The five speeches presented are: (1) "The Principles of Educational Planning;" (2) "On Books, Libraries and Development;" (3)…

Discusses the decline of African libraries and concludes that African libraries must find their own role within an African reality. Discussion covers failed internationally funded attempts to stem the decline, including establishment of national information policies and systems; donation of books and journals; staff training; development of rural…

Examines the involvement of public and village libraries in literacy and postliteracy programs in Africa south of the Sahara during the last two decades. Issues discussed include the extent of illiteracy in Black Africa, populations served by village libraries, African rural strategies of development, and the implications for library services. (44…

This paper describes the situation of the information user in the developing countries of Africa; discusses the role of information resources in national development; delineates the most important functions of national libraries with respect to information dissemination and information utilization; explores the relationship between financial…

The role that libraries and librarians can play in making the teaching and learning of French as a second language more effective in West African secondary schools is discussed. Reasons for close cooperation between French teachers and librarians are also examined. (L BH)

This paper briefly defines the nature of economic development, describes the various conferences and seminars which have been held to discuss library problems pertaining to Africa, discusses the types of programs and activities that African libraries must engage in if they are to contribute effectively to economic development, reviews the role of…