LIBRARIES RE-LOADED IN SERVICE OF THE MARGINALIZED

Abstract

From inception the journey of public libraries in Africa has been very bumpy for reasons well documented in literature. Some of the key issues are discussed. The main thrust of this article is that public libraries as we know them today have failed the cause of the majority of Africans who are disadvantaged and marginalised. A radical shift to the general principles underpinning public library practice is proposed to give way to a recipe of an ‘African public library’: A model which is essentially based on relationship building and networking.