December 19, 2023

African Librarians empowered to share knowledge and enhance information visibility through AfLIA Wikidata Online Course

In this blog post, we share interesting Insights on the successes and key learnings from the AfLIA Wikidata Online Course
March 28, 2022

Exchange Students between Makerere University (Uganda) and University of Borås (Sweden)

EASLIS receive support to undertake international students and staff exchange between the EASLIS and the Swedish School of Library and Information Science (SSLIS), Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and Information Technology. 
March 28, 2022

The Wind of Fortune: Musings of a Library Assistant turned Professor of Library and Information Studies

The Wind of Fortune: Musings of a Library Assistant turned Professor of Library and Information Studies. Story by Prof. Kenneth Ivo Ngozi Nwalo, CLN
March 28, 2022

My Experience as an International Student at the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), Makerere University

My Experience as an International Student at the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), Makerere University Story by Abubakar Mohammed
March 28, 2022

The Technical University of Kenya: Reflections of a proud Alumnus

When I look back and reflect on the times I spent at my Alma Mater, I get every reason to thank the Technical University of Kenya for making me the person that I am today.
March 22, 2022

“What you see is what you get; the me I see, the me I will be”

“What you see is what you get; the me I see, the me I will be”. Story by Lucy Wachera Kibe
June 8, 2021

Data for advocacy: A survey of data practices in African library systems

The data for advocacy report summarizes findings from the survey including what data is collected by library organizations; how the data is used; how data is shared; how data is involved in decision making; and the experience of data collection.
January 15, 2021

Wikipedia @20: Birthday wishes from AfLIA & African Librarians

AfLIA rejoices with Wikipedia, as it marks its 20th anniversary.
November 2, 2020

Underscoring the importance of information marketing as a vital skill by librarians in post COVID-19 era

The future is bright and clear for any librarian who wants to diversify into information marketing. Read to know why....
September 15, 2020

Research on African Libraries in Development: Perceptions and Possibilities

The Advancing Library Visibility in Africa Project shares updates on learning from our research on African Libraries in Development Perceptions and Possibilities
July 31, 2020

Wikipedia project for African Librarians: Liberating Knowledge

With grant support from the Wikimedia Foundation, AfLIA's Wikipedian in Residence and Curriculum Development Consultant will adapt the OCLC curriculum to the African context and train librarians from all library types in 30 African countries.
May 23, 2020

All you need to know about the #AfLibWk & #1Lib1Ref campaign

From 24th to 30th May 2020, the first African Librarians Week, #AfLibWk kicks in! African library and information professionals will be adding accurate and reliable sources to articles on Wikipedia.
April 22, 2020

Suite of COVID-19 Resources for Librarians

AfLIA is supporting librarians with information about platforms that can aid the provision of online services as the impact of the COVID19 pandemic intensifies.
March 31, 2020

Misinformation on COVID-19: Call to action

AfLIA believes that as managers of information, African librarians cannot afford to stay on the side lines and act unconcerned while fakenews about COVID19 continues to spread. This is the time for librarians to play their part by disseminating correct, reliable, relevant information that will make Africans concerned without instigating panic and bursting myths and disinformation that can help the pandemic wax strong in the continent.
February 26, 2020

Libraries Are More than Books

I travelled with Cohort 2, AfLIA Leadership Academy(AfLAc) to Nashville. We visited the Nashville Public Library to engage with ideas & possibilities as a prelude to #PLA2020 and to understand the American public libraries system better. I am learning a lot but the visit to the Civil Rights Room has triggered off emotions, a new understanding of the place of librarians in shaping Africa and resolutions to rise above the ordinary, push beyond known and unknown boundaries and step into a new vista of librarianship.
February 5, 2020

Thika Library, knls + AfLIA Leadership Academy = Transformed Community services

Miriam Mureithi, an AfLAc Cohort 1 participant, takes readers through her "Youth Empowerment Initiative", has transformed Thika library, knls from a mere reading place to an information and community centre with the support of her colleague librarians and organizations based in the community.
January 27, 2020

Why join us: Membership benefits of AfLIA

AfLIA is an institutional membership based organization. Our membership cuts across all the regions in Africa and comprises of all library and information types. Here are 6 major reasons why your library or information association or institution must be part of us.
December 17, 2019

Extended opening hours to the rescue: how Bulawayo Public Library changed the lives of students!

Read how Bulawayo Public Library is making impact on students and workers through a laudable initiative by one our INELI SSAf Cohort 2 participants.
November 13, 2019

Librarians’ role in Organizations: A call to action in a digital era

A lot has been said about the role of libraries in this digital era. Some claim that the library will be replaced by the digital information providers, others claim that the role of librarians will be obsolete and taken over by the ICT professionals. I do not intend to discuss about the debate because enough has been said about it and still more is being discussed.
September 28, 2019

African Librarians have a stake in ensuring Universal Access to Information

The Day is being celebrated with series of activities across the globe and AfLIA, the trusted voice for the African Library and Information community is not left out. We caught up with some Council members to share their thoughts on International Day for Universal Access to Information, particularly the significance of this year's theme "Leaving No One Behind" and what role African Libraries and relevant stakeholders can play in ensuring access to information for all. 
September 2, 2019

Weaponisation of misinformation – the role of Librarians in curbing the epidemic

False or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive' and to dis-empower. Misinformation becomes a weapon when it is surreptitiously used to sway or control public opinion, widely propagate false narratives for the purposes of gaining commercial, political or social advantages.
July 19, 2019

Literacy and Beyond

Most Africans perceive public libraries as spaces with dusty tomes where people go to read and study especially just before examinations. For many, libraries are all about education and the elites but times are changing......!
June 30, 2019

African Libraries mark 2019 Day of the African Child, in grand style

The African Library community marked this day by engaging children, who come from of all walks of life, through a number of innovative, educative and fun-based activities and programmes, while emphasizing the need for quality education and access to the basic necessities of life for every African child.
June 6, 2019

2019 Day of the African Child. Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s Rights First

2019 Day of the African Child Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s Rights First.
June 3, 2019

Copyright Limitations and Exceptions Chat on Twitter

Here are excerpts of the Copyright Limitations and Exceptions Chat on Twitter that we held as a prelude to the WIPO Africa Regional seminar? You can also see all on AfLIA's Twitter handle - @AfLIACon
May 29, 2019

Our Stand on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Associated Information Institutions

Here is AfLIA's stand on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Associated Information Institutions
April 23, 2019

2019 WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY

Today, the World observes World Book and Copyright Day, a special day set aside by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. April 23, also marks the date on which several prominent authors, William Shakespeare, Miguel Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, all died.
March 8, 2019

Celebrating International Women’s Day: An up-close interview with Prof. Rocky Ralebipi-Simela

“Do not go it alone ever. It is when you work with others that you learn and grow both professionally and individually” – Prof. Rocky Ralebipi-Simela International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on March 8 each year.  It is a time when the world reflects on past struggles and […]
March 2, 2019

Invitation to contribute to AfLIA Blog – the African Library Vibes

AfLIA wishes to introduce to all, – the African Library Vibes. This is an online space set up with the primary aim of providing an international forum where authors and readers within the LIS sector, especially in Africa, can converge, interact and share knowledge for the promotion and development of LIS in the continent and beyond.
January 25, 2019

AfLIA Leadership Academy Cohort 1

The AfLIA Leadership Academy (AfLAc) is a rigorous, emboldening and inspiring leadership training for public librarians in Africa who need to be equipped with requisite skills that would empower them to be leaders in their libraries and communities.
May 12, 2024

Leveraging Libraries and Librarians for Africa’s Social Change and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century

Leveraging Libraries and Librarians for Africa’s Social Change and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
February 16, 2024

Bi-Centenary Conference on Preservation of Knowledge and Documentary Heritage

o Library and the Endangered Archives Programme Africa Hub in collaboration with the University of the Free State Library, the Moshoeshoe Leadership Institute and the British Library invites you to a conference on the role of knowledge preservation in telling the stories of nations.
June 24, 2023

Community Consultation on UNESCO Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms

. AfLIA invites you to participate in a virtual consultation session to deliberate on issues covered in the current draft of the Guidelines (Draft 3.0) and share your perspectives as a library and information professional. 
January 23, 2023

AfLIA Wikidata Online Course – registration now open

AfLIA is excited to announce that registration is now open for enrolment in the AfLIA Wikidata Online Course. Participation is open to all librarians and other information professionals in Africa. This project is funded by the Wikimedia Foundation.
December 6, 2022

Introducing the African Librarysites platform: a continental source of consolidated library location data for development

Introducing the African Librarysites platform: a continental source of consolidated library location data for development
May 16, 2022

AfLibWk 3.0 – List of articles that need citations

Here is a list of articles on Wikipedia that require additional citations. We have compiled these so that #AfLibWk 3.0 contributors can use as a starting point for making edits and adding credible references during the 2022 African Librarians Week.
March 22, 2022

My Academic Journey: Erasto C. Kabalo

Story by Erasto C. Kabalo, Student, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Throughout my entire academic journey, I have been through an abundance of ups and downs. Most of my academic successes and triumphs begun at College when I decided to venture into Information Science profession between 2010 – 2013, while pursuing […]
March 22, 2022

Criss-crossing career paths. From Library Administrator to Lecturer, to University Librarian to Lecturer: My story

Story by Assoc. Prof. Perpetua Dadzie Early Beginnings I have worked in libraries in Ghana and Overseas in several capacities. In Ghana, I worked as an Assistant Librarian at the Ghana Standards Authority which is a Special Library. In Honduras, I was a Librarian at the Escuela Internacional Sampedrana (American School Library) […]
March 22, 2022

Destiny Child; Finishing Strong; Proudly Librarian!

Story by Dr. Victoria Okojie My career as a librarian started in 1984 when I was appointed Librarian II at the Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan after my Masters’ Degree in Library Science at the University of Ibadan. My University Librarian was eagerly waiting for me to assume duty […]
March 22, 2022

Life at the University of Botswana: a student’s experience

Story by Amogelang Neo Kerebotswe. University of Botswana is a government institution established by an Act of Parliament on the 1st of July 1982. It offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It also offers professional development courses through the Centre for Continuing Education. This University has 3 campuses in Gaborone, Francistown, […]
April 23, 2021

AfLIA 2021 Virtual Conference – Schedule

Pre-Conference – Monday, 24th May, 2021 – Open to all Monday, 24th May, 2021 Pre-Conference Wikipedia Workshop (Open to All)Theme – Wikipedia, Wikidata and Libraries English Speaking participants – 10:30 – 12:30 (GMT / UTC) Facilitators – Alice Kibombo (AfLIA WiR) & Wynand van der Walt (LIASA/Wikimedia ZA) French Speaking participants – […]
April 21, 2021

AfLIA Statement on Jagger Library, University of Cape Town Libraries’ Fire

21ST APRIL 2021 AfLIA has learnt of the fire disaster on 18th April 2021 that gutted the Reading Room of the Jagger Library as well as the loss of some collections at the University of Cape Town Library. We have sent private messages to our colleagues already. This is a great loss […]
April 28, 2020

Springer makes freely available over 400 of its scientific books during the global lockdown

Springer has generously made available over 400 scientific books for free for educators, students and academics affected by coronavirus lockdown to help support higher education institutions around the world during the global lockdown. Attached is a link to tons of great materials, especially in statistics, machine learning and data science. DOWNLOAD FULL […]
April 22, 2020

How do I Participate ?

April 22, 2020

Resources for #AfLibWk #1Lib1ref #LibraryActivism

April 22, 2020

Join us for African Librarians Week – “Promoting African Scholars to the World”

Wikipedia, the world’s free online encyclopedia that’s created, edited, and verified by people around the world,  is an important source of fact-based knowledge for researchers and the public. It’s an especially important resource during times of crisis and uncertainty, when people are increasingly looking online for trustworthy, unbiased, and up-to-date information. Wikipedia […]
February 27, 2020

Report on the 3rd Roundtable Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Libraries in Africa

February 27, 2020   Opening Ceremony AfLIA in conjunction with the Ghana Ministry of Education and the Ghana Library Authority, hosted the 3rd Roundtable Meeting of Ministers in charge of Public Libraries in Africa at Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra-Ghana from 29th -30th October, 2019.  The theme for the Summit was “Libraries on […]
July 22, 2019

AfLIA Leadership Academy (AfLAc) Cohort 1 embarks on a Professional Exchange Visit to Chicago

Cohort 1 AfLIA Leadership Academy (AfLAc) recently visited USA for an exchange professional visit in partnership with the Public Library Association (PLA) of ALA. Participants arrived Chicago on Sunday, 24th March 2019.
July 17, 2019

National Assembly of Cameroon celebrates Mr. Alim Garga, Vice President of AfLIA

On 9th July 2019, National Assembly of Cameroon organized a lunch in honour of Mr. Alim Garga following his election as the Vice President of the African Library & Information Associations and Institutions - AfLIA
July 8, 2019

Six years Anniversary: A goodwill message from the AfLIA President

I heartily congratulate the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) on it's 6th birthday.
June 30, 2019

African Libraries mark 2019 Day of the African Child, in grand style

The African Library community marked this day by engaging children, who come from of all walks of life, through a number of innovative, educative and fun-based activities and programmes, while emphasizing the need for quality education and access to the basic necessities of life for every African child.
January 1, 2019

“Library made me”

This is a story of Daouda Sow, a “library-made man”. This story is not based on a myth, but on true facts. Daouda received primary education in a Sengalese village called Hombo in northern Senegal until he obtained the certificate of elementary studies and afterward.......
January 1, 2019

Freedom to exist, to Aspire, to Be – Libraries and Human rights

Libraries are bridges. They act as equalizers in the society, opening their doors to all so that everyone can aspire to be free from the shackles of ignorance, poverty, and segregation. Libraries provide platforms for people to come in contact with dreams, ideas and activities of the past and present and to become energized to dream of possibilities and greatness of the future without boundaries restrictions or limitations.
December 31, 2018

Promote county Library services bill, 2015; Kenya, for literacy development

The devolved system of governance in Kenya can only work best where the acceleration of information is indispensable. Libraries are institutions that have the ability to bridge the gap between knowledge and ignorance.
December 30, 2018

Libraries & Librarians: your other best place & friend

“So, did you go to school to earn a Masters” degree on how to arrange books?”, “Exactly what do you do as a librarian?”, “Why do I need to come to the library when I can use the internet for everything?”. These are questions I am always asked since I began my career as a librarian.