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Why decolonization and re-Africanisation of librarianship is not an option but a necessity for Africa?

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Date

2023-08-29

Authors

Chisita, Collen Takaingenhamo
Zimu-Biyela, Aquinatta Nomusa

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International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

Abstract

This conceptual paper investigates African Librarianship's role in decolonizing the three key areas: library resources and services, education, training, and associations in Africa. The focus is more on how women professionals have contributed to the decolonization of libraries through their practical and literary work. Findings revealed that the cry for the re-Africanisation of libraries in South Africa can be traced to the "Zaaiman Report" of the 1980s. The results of the Zaaiman Report lamented the domination of Western ideologies as a deficiency in LIS resources, services, education, and training, hence the need for decolonization. It was imperative that African Librarianship decolonizes in line with the contextual needs of the library communities served, particularly indigenous communities of Africa; hence, Africology, UNESCO Declaration on Indigenous languages, and IFLA Indigenous Matters Action Plan (2021-23) were adopted for this study.

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Keywords

African Librarianship, Decolonisation, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous languages, re-Africanisation

Citation

Chisita, C.T. and Zimu-Biyela, A.N. 2023. Why decolonization and re-Africanisation of librarianship is not an option but anecessity for Africa? IFLA WLIC 2023 Satellite Meeting: Empire, Indigeneity, and colonial heritage collections: confronting difficult pasts, enabling just futures. Presented at: 88th IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), 2023 Rotterdam; (1): 1-16 (16).

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