WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Mr. Alim Garga | President of AfLIA

It is indeed a great honour and privilege to welcome you to the AfLIA website.

AfLIA was founded in 2013, and was registered as an independent international non-governmental organization (NGO) under the laws of Ghana in October 2014. AfLIA is the trusted voice of the African library and information community in Africa’s development. It drives equitable access to information and knowledge for all. AfLIA believes in Professionalism and Inclusivity, Integrity, Transparency & Accountability, Innovation & Creativity, Customer focus and Access to Information as a Human Right. Indeed, AfLIA connects Africa’s library and information communities.

I believe that through the transformation and development agenda we can do more as Library and Information workers and professionals to improve on the current state of African libraries and librarianship on the continent and chart a very bright future for African Libraries and Information Services (LIS) in Africa.

Socio-economic, educational and political disruptions continue to challenge LIS delivery on the continent while the purpose and relevance of the African LIS sector and its position in a developmental agenda is questioned continuously, evidenced by, for example, budget cuts and inadequate funding for libraries. Furthermore, external forces influencing libraries and library practice include global advances in technology such as the fourth Industrial Revolution which is shifting educational landscapes and changing community demographics. National and global development imperatives are being advocated through the United Nations Agenda 2030, AU Agenda 2063 and National Developmental Agendas. We look forward to working with colleagues on the continent to build their capacities to take hold of these agendas and to provide current cutting-edge services to meet the diverse information demands of our communities and thereby strengthen our position of relevance in national and continental development. With all hands on the deck, our profession and what we stand for will continue to soar, even beyond the shores of Africa.

Finally, I extend words of appreciation and gratitude to all our members: Libraries, Library Associations and Institutions; Friends of AfLIA; Partners; and African national governments that have been working with us to provide favourable library policies in their countries, for your continued interest in and support to AfLIA ; past Governing Council members which was led by Mr. John Tsebe for its sound leadership in the formative years of our association; current Council members for offering to serve our dear association; and the staff for dedicated service. We look forward to a continued great service relationship with all our stakeholders for a better Africa.

Long live AfLIA!! Vive l’AfLIA!! Viva AfLIA Viva!