An important feature of Ghanaian tertiary education is the foundational African Studies Programme which was initiated in the early 1960s. Unfortunately hardly any readers exist which bring together a body of knowledge on the themes, issues and debates which inform and animate research and teaching in African Studies particularly on the African continent. This becomes even more important when we consider the need for knowledge on Africa that is not Eurocentric or sensationalised, but driven from internal understandings of life and prospects in Africa. Dominant representations and perceptions of Africa usually depict a continent in crisis. Rather than buying into external representations of Africa, with its 'lacks' and aspirations for Western modernities, we insist that African scholars in particular should be in the forefront of promoting understanding of the pluri-lingual, overlapping, and dense reality of life and developments on the continent, to produce relevant and usable knowledge. Continuing and renewed interest in Africa's resources, including the land mass, economy, minerals, visual arts and performance cultures, as well as bio-medical knowledge and products, by old and new geopolitical players, obliges African scholars to transcend disciplinary boundaries and to work with each other to advance knowledge and uses of those resources in the interests of Africa's people.

"This book investigates the relationship between local libraries and community development, from the historical roots of rural libraries to their influence on the literacy, economy, and culture of the surrounding region"--Provided by publisher.

Published in dual print and electronic formats, this is a new edition of a much acclaimed reference source that brings together a wide range of sources of information in the African studies field, covering both print and electronic sources. It evaluates the best online resources, the major general reference tools in print format, current bibliographies and indexing services, biographical, cartographic, statistical and economic resources, as well as film and video resources. Additionally, there are separate sections on African studies library collections and repositories throughout the world, a directory of over 250 African studies journals; listings of news sources, profiles of publishers active in the African studies field, dealers and distributors of African studies materials, African studies societies and associations, major African and international organizations, donor agencies and foundations, awards and prizes in African studies, electronic mailing lists and discussion forums, and more.

This handbook provides thorough, up-to-date information on associations concerned with the fields of librarianship, documentation, information science and archives. The second, completely revised and considerably enlarged edition contains 633 comprehensive and updated entries from over 130 countries. Over 170 new entries documenting the latest trends and developments in the field are included, and an increase of more than 7 % in the number of associations covered. The first part lists internationally active associations in alphabetical order. In the second part, national associations are arranged by country, and listed within the countries alphabetically. The volume includes indexes of names, subjects and official organs. The entries contain the following details: Name, with abbreviation and English translation where available Address with telephone, telex, fax, eMail and URL Functionaries, members of staff Languages, Year of foundation Main field of interest and goals Structure, finances Summary of members (numbers, structure, types of membership) Membership conferences, congresses, publications Activities (e.g. legislative proceedings or educational)

First published in 1970. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.