An overview of library management practices in West Africa
| Date | 01 February 1998 |
| Pages | 9-11 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435129810198521 |
| Published date | 01 February 1998 |
| Author | A.A. Alemna |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Introduction
It has often been said that whereas manage-
ment theories can be the same when applied
in similar circumstances, there are often
problems with the application of management
principles, especially when they are applied to
the Third World in particular, and Africa in
general. This includes of course, library man-
agement.
The position of the Third World, and
particularly that of Africa, is worse off in this
regard. Here, libraries are not only facing the
challenge of change, but are also finding
themselves failing to meet the expectations of
their government backers and intended users.
(Nawe, 1992).
Overview
A review of library management practices in
West Africa shows a clear dependence on
foreign information resources even after
several years of the attainment of self-govern-
ment. The inability to generate local informa-
tion sources means that more money has to be
spent on collection development. With the
escalating prices of information materials
worldwide, it is not surprising that all types of
libraries in West Africa – academic, special,
school, public and national, are facing very
serious problems in collection development
(Aguolu, 1996; Creppy, 1995; Sowole, 1995).
Most West African governments have
introduced economic reform programmes. A
major aspect of this programme is the devalu-
ation of national currencies. This has affected
the funding of libraries as a large proportion
of their materials have to be imported. At
present, funding levels in libraries cannot
keep pace with requirements for equipment,
books and journals and with the maintenance
of existing facilities. Even Nigeria, the so-
called “giant” of Africa is facing this problem
(Balarabe, 1995; Lawal, 1995).
There is also the problem with the use of
modern information technology in the man-
agement of libraries in West Africa. There is
no doubt that the proliferation of electronic
information technology has improved the
management of libraries in developed coun-
tries. The era of the printed book seems to be
gradually giving way to the age of electronic
books. But surveys on the situation in West
Africa show that the era of information tech-
nology has not yet fully arrived in our
9
Library Management
Volume 19 · Number 1 · 1998 · pp. 9–11
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0143-5124
An overview of library
management practices
in West Africa
A.A. Alemna
The author
A.A. Alemna is Associate Professor and Head of Depart-
ment of Library and Archival Studies at the University of
Ghana, Legon.
Abstract
This paper discusses library management practices in West
African countries (specifically Ghana and Nigeria), high-
lighting various issues such as funding, collection devel-
opment and the image problem. Prospects for the future
are also discussed including the need to market library
services; resource sharing; foreign aid; and the issue of
alternative sources of funding for libraries in West Africa.
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