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…

This study investigates 'partnership' as a key discursive tool for extending neoliberalism in the field of international development. As a case study, it examines the language-in-use among development organizations when discussing public libraries as potential partners in Africa. Critical discourse analysis of 20 interviews with development…

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…

A short historical and socio-economic survey of the East African Community, is followed by a description of the development of public libraries in Kenya, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania. (Author)

Describes 13 libraries in the Kingdom of Swaziland. (PF)

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…

The statistics which form the basis of this paper were compiled from the result of a questionnaire supplemented by correspondence and information from annual reports and the "Nigerian Libraries," and the "Ghana Library Journal." The data obtained from the questionnaire are presented in the appendices, and are followed by a list…

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)

Since the inception of the Tanganyika Library Service in 1963, in-service training has been run for newly recruited library staff. All along, however, it has been difficult to find suitable reading material for the training programme. Hence the need for writing these notes. The notes have been written by senior members of the Tanganyika Library…

The beginning and development of libraries in Nigeria are reviewed. Particular areas discussed include: libraries before mid-century, librarians before mid-century, the difficulties of birth, libraries as instruments of power, early library men, the Lagos Library, the Carnegie Corporation, World War II, Elliot Commission, Lagos Public Library,…

A survey was conducted of the existing library legislation in 14 countries, four developing nations and ten developed countries, with varying forms of local and national government. The countries were chosen to show different aspects of existing laws. Particular attention was paid to Europe and Africa, where rapid development is taking place, and…

The six papers in this collection were presented at three sections of the Division of Regional Activities: (1) "A la recherche d'Approches adaptees aux Besoins en Documentation des Africains (In Search of an Approach Adapted to the Information Needs of Africans)" (Touria Temsamani Haji, Morocco); (2) "People's Libraries: An African…

Discussion of public library services in Africa focuses on the need to change their emphasis from urban library services to rural community library and information services. Implications for African library schools are considered, and courses for rural library and information center management are suggested. (six references) (LRW)

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…