African libraries face challenges like poor infrastructure, funding issues, and unequal access to information. They are addressing these issues through agility, collaboration, virtualization, and adapting physical spaces. Libraries are working with stakeholders on initiatives like shared e-resources, open educational resources, training programs, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Going forward, African library leaders will advocate for social justice and greater appreciation of libraries through practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

1. Reimagining libraries in Africa in the
‘new’ context
DR ANDISWA MFENGU
University of Cape Town, South Africa
From Pandemic to Endemic: Global Experiences and
Perspectives on the OCLC New Model Library

2. OCLC New Model Library
• Whose reality counts?
• Whose voices are most
likely to be heard?
• Application in other
contexts

3. Libraries in Africa
• Priorities and realities
• Recognize our socioeconomic realities
• Power cuts, unstable internet connectivity,
infrastructure issues, funding issues
• Inequalities, systemic and epistemic injustices -
libraries act as equalizers - DEIA
• Ubuntu (I am because you are) - it embraces the
idea that humans cannot exist in isolation

4. Actions by African libraries in response to changing circumstances and expectations
Agility
• Shared e-resources (consortium), e-
reference
• Growth in the use of social media - marketing
• Open educational resources (OERs)
• Open access – policies, library publishing
• Ongoing training – information literacy and
other literacies

5. African libraries working with stakeholders to lead change
Collaboration
• Continental platform – library publishing
• Access - internet connection, device loans
• OERs – researchers, academics
• Books – African Storybook’s, Library Aid
• Mutually beneficial partnerships – interests,
values, agendas

6. Collaboration

7. African libraries expanding online library experiences
Virtualization
Digitalization
Upskilling and reskilling staff – digital, technology,
copyright and other related skills areas
Infrastructure upgrades, better connectivity, provision
of devices
Virtual is not default but optional

8. New ways to engage within the physical library
Space
• Demand for more seating space and less
books
• Conducive library spaces – for diverse user
needs
• Demand for spaces with good internet
connection and undisturbed power
(electricity) supply

9. Positioning African libraries for social justice
Future directions
• Library leaders – advocacy
and show evidence of the
impact of libraries
• Information literacy – greater
appreciation
• Policy review and practices to
align (DEIA)
• Partnerships