Changes in Public Libraries During the Last Twenty Years:

Abstract

To a large extent African public libraries are based on the public library tradition of the developed world. From the 1970s local librarians trained abroad have taken over the leadership. Historically, public libraries have been perceived as providing materials geared towards reading for pleasure and providing access to world civilizations and cultures. However, African public libraries are mainly used by school-children and youths. The stagnation of the African economies and lack of basic necessities such as food and healthcare have reduced the finances available for library services. The crucial question faced by all African public libraries is how to justify themselves to governments. Studies to find what role public libraries play is supporting education have shown that they are in a decline because of lack of government commitment towards their funding. Although poorly supportend African public libraries have played an important role in formal and non-formal education. The rovision of services for literacy programmes has been encouraged, and libraries

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