Quotations
can pack so much wisdom in such few words, and this is exactly what several
speakers at the African Public Libraries Summit did. So much was shared and or implied in these few
quotations; “Public Libraries
should be made temples of knowledge, creating innovative ways of addressing
lives and providing knowledge”: Adama Samassekou, Chairman Board of
Philosophy and Humanities and President of MAAYA Network Global Linguistic
Diversity.
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| Key Note Speakers at the Summit |
“If you are planning for tomorrow, grow rice,
if you are planning for the future, grow trees but if you are planning for a
life time establish a library”: Omara Jatta, Acting Director of the Standards
and Quality Assurance Directorate, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education,
Gambia.
“Libraries provide the oxygen for today’s
information economy”: Garoma Daba Jaleta, African Union representative.
“The incorporation and use of ICT tools and
resources in libraries is very key because it opens up new possibilities for both
libraries and library users. It should be noted that Libraries today have moved
away from the old traditional book stores to more dynamic and digital social
centers geared at addressing all community needs as identified from time to
time”: Monika Elbert, Eifl.
These
quotations seemingly summarize what the participants at the African public
libraries summit discussed during the three days. The Summit that was conducted
at Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg started on 19.09.12 to 21.09.12 and brought
together approximately 150 delegates and speakers from all over Africa.
The
participants included key librarians and directors of Public libraries across
Africa, some Lecturers of Library and Information Sciences from Universities in
Africa, Permanent secretaries and Ministers of culture and education, and other
institutions running library projects like RIC-NET, Life line Project-Botswana,
Masiphumelele Library, Eifl, World reader, Read Nepal, to mention but a few.
The
summit whose theme was “Informing
Africa, Developing Africa” was funded by Bill and Melinda gates foundation.
The
purpose of the summit was to get African Policy makers and Librarians to meet
and discuss issues related to the C21st libraries, the contribution
of Libraries to development priorities, sharing success stories and experiences
about public libraries’ impact and above all to agree on the establishment of a
public library network.
During
the summit participants discussed several topics like Public libraries in an
inclusive African knowledge society, how public libraries can contribute to
existing regional and national policies, developing national policy in support
of African public libraries, beyond access-a conversation about the global effort
to turn all libraries into hubs for development, how public libraries
contribute towards Africa’s development, technological change development and
public libraries good practice, regional perspectives on public library policy
in Africa.
Other
things shared were success stories from community and public libraries as well
as the requirements for establishing a public libraries’ network.
Sharing
their experiences and success stories, a participant from Botswana shared how
libraries were helping youth entrepreneurs to find jobs, get connected to other
local entrepreneurs and as well supported them do develop marketable business
plans, while Read Nepal shared how libraries have transformed the livelihoods
and the social economic status of the women there.
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| Mr. John Silco ; Presenting RIC-NET Community Library work with Farmers |
On the other hand Stephen
Agbenyo from Ghana shared how libraries/technology had improved maternal health
in Ghana, while Nyasha Sithole shared on how the library has bridged the
digital divide in Cape Town. In the same vein John shared how community
libraries have reached out to farmers in the Rwenzori Region of Uganda. Last
but not least one Zev Lowe of World reader also shared how the use of digital
books has transformed African classrooms and libraries in Africa.
Commenting
on the success stories shared, Ms. Deborah L. Jacobs, the Director Global
Libraries’ initiative, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, noted that it’s
impressive to learn of how much the libraries are impacting on the lives of and
economy of Africa. She however noted that it’s up to us (librarians) to develop
and sustain libraries that will have continued profound impact on the people in
Africa.
Adding
on this Professor Adama noted that it’s also up to us (Librarians) to document,
share and tell people what we are doing and offering asserting that Africans
have a problem of not documenting what they do, that is why as much as a lot is
being done little is being reported and shared thus the continued fallacy that
Libraries aren’t relevant in today’s era.
Presenting
at the Summit Professor Adama among others highlighted the key challenges for
public library advancement. He noted
that while progress has been made to advance and expand how public libraries in
Africa contribute to development priorities, there are still significant
challenges. And these include lack of adequate funding, need for digital
technology, absence of professional staff/training, physical resource
limitations, and scarcity of national policies among others. These Prof. Adama
emphasised must be addressed at both the country level and across Africa.
Other
facilitators and presenters at the summit were Dr. Kingo Jotham Mchombu,
Professor and dean of the faculty of humanities and social science, University
of Namibia, Dr. Ingrid Parent, President, International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Dr. Victoria Okojje, Mr. John K. Tsebe,
Dr. Buhle Mbambo, Executive Director of Library services, University of South
Africa, Getrude Kayaga Mulindwa, Director National Library of Uganda, Dr.
Justin Chisenga, and Dr. Helena Asamoah- Hassan to mention but a few.
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| Ms. Alice Mbayahi from RIC-NET (with glasses) Presenting committee report |
From
the discussions several issues emerged and or were agreed upon. These included;
Participants agreed that since libraries have the potential to transform the
local economies through the provision of the necessary information and
knowledge transfer they must be in the fore front of the knowledge society and
knowledge economy relating to the national development agenda.
Public
Libraries must offer ICT access and also promoted e-governance.
Public
libraries should link with the education sector and all stakeholders to
incubate a habit and culture of reading for education and leisure.
In
addition to this, participants agreed that Public libraries should become self
sustainable, have community ownership and take lead in owning our knowledge and
that public libraries should not only provide a service but should also know
the community needs and then tailor their services to meet/address these needs.
Finally
it was also discussed that an enabling/supportive national or regional policy
on libraries should be advocated for and put in place by the relevant policy
makers to enable libraries deliver their best. Unfortunately only 11 out of 40
countries in Africa have library policies, while 22 countries do not have,
whereas 2 other countries (Uganda and Botswana) have pending policies while for
the remaining 5 it is not yet established if they have one or not. Participants
acknowledged that if given a chance libraries can contribute to existing
regional and national policies.
And
that whereas many Africans do not see the connection between education and
reading, they should be encouraged to read.
In
summation, it was recommended that; Libraries
should move away from telling what they provide to proving that libraries can
change lives of individuals in the community.
And that Librarians should commit to
causing impact and also be willing to be measured although their skills and
capacities in several areas like impact evaluation, advocacy, use of ICT tools
and resources, public relations and library management should be enhanced and
or strengthened.
Summit Outcomes
- A minute to establish a public Libraries network was passed and a draft proposal about the same also discussed. It highlighted the terms of reference, the staffing, and membership of the Network.
- A draft communiqué about the summit highlighting key issues discussed and agreed upon was developed and shared with the participants.
- Several action points and recommendations as highlighted above were made and agreed upon and commitment to implement them secured.
On
a light note, participants were treated to yummy African and western dishes and
also introduced to/entertained by exciting Poets, Music and dance groups and
bands that kept them refreshed, excited and feeling at home even when they were
practically miles away from their mother lands.
Officiating
over the closure, Ms. Deborah L. Jacobs, the Director Global Libraries’
initiative Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations and Dr. Ingrid Parent, IFLA
President expressed gratitude to the organizers for the tremendous and
organized work they had done, the participants for their turn up and all the
facilitators and presenters for their willingness to share their knowledge and
experience with others.
Ingrid
also congratulated the participants upon making history- participating in the
first African Public Library Summit ever.
They
also challenged the participants to carry with them everything that had been
discussed and ensure that they implement them. And to the policy makers Deborah
called upon them to view libraries as key development partners with the
potential to transform society. She appealed to them to work towards passing
enabling policies for libraries across Africa.
Deborah
and Ingrid pledged continued support towards Library activities in Africa and
even beyond.
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| Participants at the African Public Library Summit at Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg. South Africa |
