AFRICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES: A CONSUMER VIEWPOINT
Geoffrey J. Williams
My first experience of an African university library was at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone 1963. The library, serving one the earliest established universities Sub‐Saharan Africa, then housed a linked series wooden buildings (formerly part military hospital) ventilated by louvred windows and fans, which staff struggled valiantly against trials Freetown's hot humid climate. book stock, some it dating from last century, climate‐stained insect‐eaten successive dustings laterite had left its unmistakeable imprint (and smell). Whilst I moved to occupy stage new air‐conditioned premises. This included room rich collection early Leoneana could be brought together. A few years later too, Ahmadu Bello University savanna belt northern Nigeria where, for much year, readers) baked poorly concrete box. That as well has since more spacious building. Since 1974 have been Zambia Lusaka. Here, 1250 metres elevation on Central plateau, climatic problems are less acute, we also fortunate having exceptionally designed with stock founded heady Zambia's immediate post‐independence period when copper prices were booming, funding relatively easy. Today major problem is that maintaining high standards provision those affluent years. Apart lengthy association these three libraries, casual acquaintance libraries number other countries elsewhere). In making comments do so expatriate (geographer) academic able, hope, view sympathetically relative such world, context particular constraints African/Developing World situation. Despite interest things bibliographical can claim no specific expertise.
Library Review