The Concept of a National Library in Less Developed Countries, with Special Reference to Africa

Abstract

Just as there is no one typical less developed country (LDC), although most such countries have many characteristics in common, so there are many different national library models in operation, all affected to a greater or lesser degree by these characteristics. Three major congresses in the 1960s greatly influenced the shape of national libraries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean region, emphasizing their importance as a fundamental element in national development. They agree on the most important functions: to give guidance to all the country's libraries; to serve researchers and users as fully as possible; to collect and conserve the nation's published output; to exercise bibliographic control over it, and to disseminate information about it. An analysis of studies by six writers on national libraries in LDCs reveals substantial differences, for example as to whether a national library service is preferable to a national library, and whether a national library can be grafted on to a university library. Major questions remain unanswered.