Development of Library and Information Science Education in Africa

Abstract

This paper gives a comprehensive account of the development of library and information science education in Africa. Ghana was first to start any kind of library education in 1944 but the formal education started at Ibadan, Nigeria in 1959. By 1970 there were 6 library schools; 4 new schools started during 1970s and another 6 during 1980s. Two Regional schools with Master's Programme in Information Science started in 1990. Two new schools are likely to start soon. Nigeria alone has 8 schools providing professional education at all levels including PhD (which is available only in Nigeria) and an exclusive programme of Master in Information Science at ARCIS, Ibadan. Several schools, realising the importance of new developments in information science and technology, are planning to incorporate this component into their curriculae. The existing programmes need to be assessed in the context of information needs of Africa.