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…

The paper presents a Sub-Saharan African academic Librarian's experience in trying to address the changing needs and practices of university library users. Special reference is made to Makerere University Library. Most of the changes have been brought about by the various paradigm shifts in teaching, learning and research, as well as advances in…

A review of 19 university libraries in 12 African countries compared the benefits and drawbacks of information technology (IT), concluding that IT will not reduce the need for books and journals and that IT's biggest potential is in increasing intra-Africa communication and providing links to the outside world. (PEN)

The African Regional Symposium on Telematics for Development was organized in view of the special educational and communication needs of Africa in a time of accelerating change and development of information technologies. The symposium brought together more than 150 African specialists, and over 40 participants from other regions and development…

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…

Includes three papers that discuss government publishing in developing countries and its effects on library collection development. Highlights include national information policies; user expectations; the role of culture; bibliographic control; acquisition and access to publications from Africa and Asia; and an indexed bibliography of 236 works…

Summarizes and analyzes literature from the 1980s and 1990s that addressed library issues in Botswana. Focuses on literature that discussed the role of the library education program at the University of Botswana, and the use of African versus Western models in developing libraries and information centers to meet patron information needs. (JMV)

Discusses the role of the school librarian in East African countries and the information needs of a school community. The extent to which the role of a school librarian in East Africa is realized in the areas of financial support, library programs and policies, and staffing is discussed. (11 references) (MES)

Considers the relevance for sub-Saharan Africa of electronic information systems in terms of the segments of the population that would benefit from such services, as opposed to a broader library role of advancing literacy to the general population. (Author/CLB)

Discussion of the information needs of rural people in developing countries focuses on rural community resource centers in Africa. Topics addressed include centers run by the local community versus those run by a public library system; rural resource centers in Sierra Leone; community information centers in Asia; information transfer; and training…

This thesaurus identifies nearly 4,000 subject heading terms that pertain specifically to the 41 countries that make up Africa south of the Sahara. The process of identifying these terms began with a search through the "Library of Congress Subject Headings," followed by searches of other subject heading materials and bibliographic…

The Telecommunications Foundation of Africa (TFA) was created in 1992 out of a conviction that insufficient telecommunications in Africa are an impediment to economic growth, and that more resources could be mobilized to strengthen this sector. This volume was made by TFA for readers both inside and outside of Africa and the telecommunications…

A number of recently released software programs seek to introduce young people to rain forests and wildlife-rich areas of Africa. Seven of these programs are reviewed for the cultural diversity they acknowledged, and their ease of use and educational value are evaluated. (SLD)

Discusses the oral tradition of Africa as history, as literature, and as an ongoing characteristic of African culture. It is argued that libraries should accommodate this tradition by actively gathering oral history and by providing community services based on oral, rather than written, materials. (Nine references) (CLB)

The use of electronic communication in the 12 Title VI African Studies Centers is discussed, and the networks available for their use are reviewed. It is argued that the African Studies Centers should be on the cutting edge of contemporary electronic communication and that computer networks should be a fundamental aspect of their programs. An…