Library and Information Science education in Anglophone Africa: Past, present and future
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Date
2017-01
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to describe the historical development of Library and Information Science
(LIS) schools on the African continent from the colonial period to the present. It highlights the factors
that contributed to the growth of library schools and challenges experienced in their development. This
study was based entirely on literature review and the author’s extensive knowledge, teaching experience
and research in LIS education in Africa. Information was obtained from both published and non-published
sources. Colleagues in LIS education also contributed immensely to the outcome of the work. It was found
that the earliest schools were initially known as library schools. The term changed to LIS schools much
later, after independence. Library schools started in the colonial era, initially in South Africa, moving all
the way through West Africa to East Africa. The curricula used in the schools were based on programmes
prevailing in the mother country. Unesco played an important role in the development of library schools
on the continent. It came up with the concept of regional library schools. Public and academic libraries
were instrumental in agitating for the establishment of library schools. With the onset of independence
on the continent, the concept of regional schools died, giving rise to self-sufficiency. Currently, LIS schools
are mushrooming all over the continent. It is concluded that if this trend is not checked, it could have a
serious effect on the quality of the graduates. Although the future of LIS schools is bright, it will greatly
depend on how the library profession is marketed. LIS schools will need to match the rapid changes taking
place in the information industry.
Description
Peer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 9 Number 1, Jan 2017, p. 66 – 74
Keywords
Africa, East Africa School of Librarianship, Library and information science education, library schools, library education, schools of information sciences
Citation
Otike, J., 2017. Library and Information Science education in Anglophone Africa: Past, present and future. Inkanyiso: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 9(1), pp.66-74.