African Librarians and the Future of Learning: Reflections from the 5thAfLIA Conference and 7th African Library Summit in Accra, Ghana

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/FT.2023.009

Keywords

AfLIA, African Libraries, Learning, Open Educational Resources, Sustainable Development

Abstract

Innovations in the 21st century have reshaped learning among people of different age, educational qualification, race, gender and geographical location. As a lifelong behaviour, it is predicted that the future of learning will transcend the conventional learning pattern and walls of the classroom with the introduction of open practices (such as the open educational resources) and the decolonization of educational content for both formal and informal learning. This discussion and many more characterized the 5thAfLIA conference and 7th African Library Summit in Accra, Ghana, as Librarians in Africa gathered to discuss the future of learning, libraries and sustainable development in Africa. The conference provided opportunity for Librarians in Africa to re-think their place in the future of learning and help achieve sustainable development. This paper, therefore, highlights the key activities and issues discussed during the 5th AfLIA Conference and 7th African Library Summit held in Accra, Ghana, from 22nd to 26th May, 2023.

Author Biographies

Magnus Osahon Igbinovia, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Magnus Igbinovia is currently the Head of Electronic Library at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Library and Information Science, Ambrose Alli University. He is currently undertaking a PhD program at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The author has written over fifty (50) scholarly articles published in reputable international and local journals. He has co-edited a book entitled “Global Perspectives on Sustainable Library Practices” published by IGI Global. He has also presented papers on Library and Information Science related conferences. He is a member of a few professional bodies like the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Library Advocacy Group (LAG) and certified by the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN). He is the recipient of the 2016 Young Library and Information Professionals (yLIPs) award by the Nigerian Library Association. He also received the award of ‘Best Paper Presenter at the 55th National conference / AGM, Nigerian Library Association (NLA)’ in 2017. Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7C_Br5QAAAAJ

Omorodion Okuonghae, Glorious Vision University, University Library, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria

Omorodion Okuonghae is the Head of E-library Services at Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria. He has Bachelors and Master’s Degrees in Library and Information Science from Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. He has published numerous scholarly publications in reputable local and international outlets in the field of Library and information science. He has also presented papers at many local, national and International conferences. Omorodion has received several awards and recognitions including the ‘Best Paper Presenter’ award at the 57th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Library Association, and the overall best graduating student recognition in the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Omorodion is highly passionate about Librarianship, Emerging Technologies in Library, Information Literacy and Scholarly Communication. He is a member of NLA. Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=pl&user=SXYe37MAAAAJ

References

AfLIA (2020). AfLIA quality assurance policy – final. Retrieved from https://web.aflia.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020-AfLIA-Quality-Assurance-Policy-Final.pdf

AfLIA (2023). AfLIA welcomes 2023-2025 Governing Council and first female president. Retrieved from https://web.aflia.net/aflia-welcomes-2023-2025-governing-council-and-first-female-president/

Arua, G. N. (2019). Pursuing continuous professional development as a personal responsibility and business: my learning journey and experience. IFLA WLIC, 2019. https://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/2566/1/182-arua-en.pdf

IFLA (2023). Our vision and mission. https://www.ifla.org/vision-mission/

Imam, M., Muhammad,M., Abba, M. A. & Ijiekhuamhen, P. O. (2020). Assessment of capacity building efforts of library and information professionals in University Libraries in Nigeria. Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 11(4), 25-36. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v11i4.3

Onifade, F. N., Okoro, C. C. & Boakye, G. O. (2018). Career Progression of Librarians in Nigeria and Ghana Universities. Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 9 (3), 33-46. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v9i3.3

Wakimoto, D. K. (2021). Exploring internal communication in public libraries: Challenges and opportunities for library leaders. Library Leadership & Management, 35(2), 1-18. https://llm-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/llm/index.php/llm/article/download/7466/6555

Folia Toruniensia

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Published

2023-11-20

How to Cite

Igbinovia, M. O., & Okuonghae, O. (2023). African Librarians and the Future of Learning: Reflections from the 5thAfLIA Conference and 7th African Library Summit in Accra, Ghana. Folia Toruniensia, 23, 157–170. https://doi.org/10.12775/FT.2023.009

Issue

Vol. 23 (2023)

Section

Reports

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