Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was created in October 2001 as an way of helping Africa extricate itself from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalizing world. Its major objectives include: eradication of poverty, promotion of accelerated growth and sustainable development, halting the marginalization of Africa in the globalizing process, and the empowerment of women. The paper examines preconditions for its success and the specific roles expected of libraries and information centres. Such roles include; popularizing the initiative, providing continental information database, human development, eradication of diseases and poverty through information, information brokerage and environmental scanning, partnering with multinational firms and extra African state, standardization of local journals, providing research support to NEPAD, ensuring Internet connectivity in African libraries, showcasing indigenous knowledge and media campaign in promoting library and information professions by library associations in Africa.