Expectations of Library Schools in the Preparation of Future Library Environment: Perspectives of African Countries

Abstract

The paper focused on the expectations of library schools in the training and preparation of future librarians. The desk research and brainstorming with professional colleagues were combined as approach for eliciting the data for the study. The highlights of the paper include review of library and information science education, libraries and librarianship in developing countries; justification for preparing future librarians in developing countries for the digital environment, review of the status of library and information science education in selected countries. The various expectations of library schools in the digital environment identified includes inclusion of digital library courses in LIS education, restructuring and reviewing of courses offered in library schools, provision of functional and well-equipped practical laboratories and learning resources, intensive exchange programmes, recruitment of skilled and qualified staff in library schools and inclusion of stakeholders to harmonize curriculum used in training librarians in Africa. The challenges to preparation / training of future librarians were identified. The position of the paper is that library schools in developing countries should be repositioned to be able to produce graduates that are adequately equipped to function effectively in the digital environment. Keywords: Developing Countries, Digital Environment Librarians, Library Schools, Training