Prospects of Digital Libraries in Africa

Abstract

This paper identifies the challenges facing African governments face in the application of digital libraries. They include the improvement and/or impartation of information literacy, improvement of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructures, encouragement of access to and use of information technology, and addressing the shortage of management and technical expertise. As a way forward, the paper suggests that African governments get involved in development cooperation at all levels of telecommunications industry with the Technologically Developed Countries (TDCs) in such a way that local ICT skills and know-how acquisition are identified and developed. It also suggests that they create awareness of the changing notion of information literacy; make education a topmost priority of their development programmes through adequate funding; and restructure the learning process to reflect the use of information in the real world.


(African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science: 2000 10 (1): 13-22)