Librarians-in-Tech Event Initiative

Library Aid Africa Launches the ‘Librarians-in-Tech Event’ Initiative Across Africa

Technology is changing the way we live, work, and deliver services. The last time I visited a hospital, I did not need to carry physical cards or watch nurses move files between desks like they did a few years ago. Across healthcare, transportation, music, fashion, and textiles, we see innovation and creativity changing how services are delivered. The library ecosystem in Africa deserves the same innovation.

Libraries in Africa have enormous potential. They preserve histories, languages, and cultural knowledge. They safeguard fragile materials and provide access to digital resources within and beyond library walls. But to do this effectively, we must move beyond manually cataloguing books and collecting cash fines to technology-driven, innovative services.

But how are library professionals, institutions, and stakeholders creating pathways for innovation? How can we work more creatively and technology-driven? How do we keep up with industry trends and co-create within the industry?

Many library schools are not fully equipping students with advanced digital skills. Graduates often enter the workforce without the technology competencies required today with job postings that show a growing demand for digital and technical skills that many professionals currently lack. (Subaveerapandiyan et al.,2022)

Another research shows that many librarians do not have access to resources to learn library technology skills. Some are hesitant to adopt new technologies. (Olusheun Ekuoye et al 2015)

What is Librarians-in-Tech About?

Librarians-in-Tech Event is an initiative by Library Aid Africa, led by library professionals and students across the continent. It creates a space for library professionals to have conversations on how technology can improve library services, and transform their careers.

The initiative is simple and flexible. Any librarian or library student can collaborate with Library Aid Africa, to host these conversations in classrooms, offices, professional gatherings, libraries or local communities. Librarians-inTech Event empowers professionals to lead discussions, share ideas, and explore innovation together.

Impact and Reach So far

Since its launch, 7 young library professionals in Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda and Sierra Leone have hosted Librarians-in-Tech events virtually and in workplaces, schools, and communities. We are already seeing professionals take intentional steps to learn and apply library technology skills that interest them.

If you are a library student or professional, you can host a Librarians-in-Tech event in collaboration with Library Aid Africa and be a part of the conversation on library Tech innovation in Africa.

Written By: Peace Agada, Community Engagement Officer

REFERENCES:

1. Subaveerapandiyan et al (2022) Digital literacy skills among African library and information science professionals-an exploratory study. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363415846_Digital_literacy_skills_among_African_library_and_information_science_professionals_-_an_exploratory_study
2. Olusheun Ekuoye et al (2015) Gender and Techno-Phobia Among Library Staff in Some Selected Polytechnic Libraries in South-South Region of Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379830533_Technophobia_and_ICT_usage_among_Librarians_in_higher_educational_institutions_in_Nigeria