CHAPTER V - School Library Development in Other Countries

Abstract

This chapter describes various aspects related to school library development in some countries. The developing countries have quickly realized the following issues that have long-term implications: (1) meaningful integration of the school library with the school itself and the failure to develop where an examination-biased system of education exists; (2) more and more suitable materials and a distribution system, especially to rural areas, suggests national planning as does often the parallel development of other libraries; and (3) responsibility for the school library, especially instruction in library utilization, must be somebody's or it remains nobody's business. School library development in West Africa is highlighted by the encouraging article on Nigeria by Virginia W. Dike and a reference from the paper of A. K. Gyebi of Ghana. He called for the coordination of all library resources to provide service to the silent majority, the potential users. The papers from Tasmania, New Zealand, Scotland, and Hungary have been included as these areas are often influenced by policies of neighbors, government, or tradition yet have distinctive characteristics and reactions that can be seen in their efforts to overcome problems and to progress toward common goals.