Examines problems with archives and records management in Africa. Highlights include a lack of resources; poor management; inappropriate staff and inappropriate training; lack of effective tools and techniques; and suggested solutions, including support from top management, a change in archivists' attitudes, better staff selection and training,…

Seven articles discuss topics related to information activities supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC): (1) background on the Information Science Division; (2) advances in information technology; (3) the role of information specialists; (4) information networking in Latin America; (5) reaching information users; (6)…

Analyzes the origins of the myth of an information and knowledge gap between developed countries and those of sub-Sahara Africa, and examines the present day reality of this gap. An approach to technology transfer is outlined which would reduce the gap and provide a means for capturing, repackaging and preserving African knowledge. (nine…

Describes the establishment and development of the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL) and assesses its effectiveness, particularly in terms of the implementation of conference resolutions by member library associations. The biennial conferences and published proceedings are discussed and suggestions…

Discusses the need to market information services in Africa and examines some of the obstacles to the use of library and information services. Highlights include technological changes; management issues, including a negative image of librarians; marketing information to a population with low use of libraries; the role of governments; and culture…

Describes the library orientation programs given to first-year students at Chancellor College in the University of Malawi (Africa). Topics include school libraries; orientation objectives; program organization and content; staffing; library teaching aids; reasons for success; and problems. (AEF)

Reviews 10 years of library and information developments in East, Central, and Southern Africa. Topics include school libraries; public libraries and rural information services; academic libraries; education and training; and professional library and information associations. (AEF)

Discussion of the information needs of agricultural researchers in Africa focuses on the potential usefulness of unpublished reports. Reasons for the underutilization of unpublished reports are addressed, including a lack of access resulting from poor bibliographic control, lack of an information policy in most countries, and inadequate and poorly…

Discussion of the information needs of rural people in developing countries focuses on rural community resource centers in Africa. Topics addressed include centers run by the local community versus those run by a public library system; rural resource centers in Sierra Leone; community information centers in Asia; information transfer; and training…

Discussion of development literature in Africa highlights DEVSIS Botswana, which was created to facilitate the collection, organization, and dissemination of socioeconomic development literature, and reports on an analysis of its annual index, DEVINDEX Botswana. Producers of development literature in Botswana are described and problems with…

Highlights trends in educational programs for library, archival, and information services in Anglophone West Africa since the recommendations of the Seminar on Public Library Development in Africa, held in Ibadan in 1953. Both professional and paraprofessional education are discussed, and needed resources are identified. (CLB)

Reviews the problems of implementing information technology in developing countries and cites examples from African projects. The use of CD-ROM for access to information is examined, and experiences at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia in introducing CD-ROM search services are described. (Contains five references.)…

Discusses the need for a regional information network in southern Africa to provide policy makers with access to needed information and reduce dependence on foreign advisers. The progress of the Southern Africa Documentation and Information System is described, and future trends and possible difficulties are identified. (CLB)