AFRICAN LIBRARIANSHIP IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY; CURRENT SITUATION IN WEST AFRICA
AFRICAN LIBRARIANSHIP IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY; CURRENT SITUATION IN WEST AFRICA
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Date
2011-05-13
Authors
MOHAMMED, Zakari
OKOJIE, Victoria
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Abstract
The paper discusses the state of Librarianship in the West African SubRegion
taking note of the contemporary practices especially in the public and
university libraries. It provides a brief SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the Library and Information Sector in West
Africa and various interventions by the government and private sector that have
facilitated the development of the profession. It highlights such areas as
education and training of librarians, Continuing Professional Development of
librarians, ICT applications in libraries, information resources and services,
collaboration, library funding, management and quantity control, publishing and
book chain, and the role of Library Associations. It was observed that even
though a lot had been achieved in the last decade, a lot more still needs to be
done especially in the areas of funding, ICT applications, quality control and
collaboration for librarianship in the sub-region to cope with the exigencies of the
21s t
century.
The paper suggests ways to promote the development of the profession in the
sub-region through strategic public private partnerships, advocacy and effective
government policies, amongst others. It concludes by advocating for the need to
have a government recognized agency that regulates the practice of the library
and information profession as a way of ensuring quality control.
Description
A Paper Presented at the 'African Library Submit 2011''held at the
Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa Muldersdriift,
Ganterg, South Africa between 11th and 13th May, 2011
Keywords
AFRICAN LIBRARIANSHIP,, 21ST CENTURY,, CURRENT SITUATION,, WEST AFRICA