(I took this from my other blog librarysituation)
The history of libraries in Zimbabwe is sketch but word has it that in
Africa libraries have existed for the past 6,000 years or so. It is on record
that many Egyptian scholars, priests and kings had accumulated books for
personal knowledge and power during ancient times (Plumbe, 1968 in Alema,
1994). It is a fascinating history that lack tangible evidence on the
development of libraries in Africa. Several documents traced the development of
libraries in Africa from the colonial period pointing the coming of Western
civilization.
Zimbabwe has a poorly documented history of the development of libraries with a
good number of publications noting that library development was an initiation
of colonial settlers. The library system developed catered for the settlers and
the education system was developed to espouse the learning process for the
settler’s children. This imbalance persisted for a long time which later gave
birth to the conception that libraries are a preserve for the white. Welford
(2009) noted that, “Prior to Zimbabwe’s independence, libraries were viewed as
the preserve of the small white population, and it was only they who had access
to well-stocked libraries.” Nelson (2008) stated that library service was
historically a service provided only to whites, Asians and “Colored’s” (people
of mixed heritage). All these assertions generate questions relating to what
was the situation before the settlers arrive in Zimbabwe. Did Munhumutapa State
Kings have a library? Did the Kings and rulers generated any form or written
communication? All these questions and others similar to these remain
unanswered and no publication is clearly providing a historical background to
libraries in Zimbabwe prior colonization.
Soon after independence the new government’s challenge was to address the
imbalance in library and information services distribution in Zimbabwe. Library
services were situated in major cities and areas where the white population
resides. The expansion of library services was a recommendation from the Greenfield
report of 1971. Nelson (2008) observed that prior to, and continuing after
independence, libraries were dispersed in such a way that only those living in
a dense population area, such as a city or large township. The new government’s
challenge was colossal and required financial resources to establish universal
library services to both urban and rural communities. Recommendations from the
Greenfield report calling for improved funding to library services, development
of school libraries and the development of a library school in Zimbabwe
(Nelson, 2008). After 1980, the Alison report was created and recommended the
establishment of a new National Library Headquarters that would pave way for
fast development of a national library services and saw the inauguration of the
National Library and Documentation Service in October 1981 and started
operations in 1985 (Nelson, 2008).
The Zimbabwe Librarian which was first published as Rhodesian Librarian in 1969
was the key communication medium for librarians that covered issues as they
unfold in the library sector was instrumental in making known the
recommendations of the Alison report and created debate on some of the
recommendations. A number of challenges overshadow the establishment of a
vibrant library service in Zimbabwe as a well elaborate plan was available but
the will of the government and the necessary funds had disappeared (Nelson,
2008). The Alison report encouraged the government to commission the Swedish
Library Commission to carry out another feasibility study that recommended the
establishment of a Documentation Centre in Harare and a Culture house in each
of the 55 rural districts of Zimbabwe (Welford, 2009). Meanwhile, the public
library system was facing a myriad of challenges as financial support from
government was reduced and donor funds become scarce leaving the library system
in a deplorable situation. The price of imported books skyrocket and inflation
was taking a toll on funds awarded to them by parent body. Underfunding becomes
the new challenge to the library system that until today is causing havoc in
the management of information centres in Zimbabwe.
The public library system flourished for a while before the economic crunch of
registered in Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2010 affect the operations badly that
they fail to revive operations due to underfunding if not no funding is
provided to them for services besides staff salaries. The major cities house
the public libraries that are using space created before independence and no
initiative has been put to establish new state-of-the-art buildings to cope
with demand for services. Despite the acknowledgement the government has that
free access to information is critical to fight obstacles bedeviling the
country no plan has been put to change the face of library services after the
economic downturn. Much effort is put in the economy failing to realise the
significant role libraries and information play in shaping and changing the
economy.
Information is a valuable resource and there is need to put up sound
infrastructure to allow smooth access to it at every level both in rural and
urban areas in supporting the education system. Several initiatives through
NGOs and library institution have been executed but are failing shot as the
demand for library service is overwhelming.
Reference
Alemna, Anaba ‘Alternative approaches to funding university libraries in
Africa.’ New Library World, 95 (1112), 1994, p. 15 – 17.
Nelson, Megan Sapp ‘Once upon a time in Zimbabwe.’ New Library World,
109 (9/10), 2008, p. 419 – 430.
