National libraries in Africa: Refocusing their work to ensure delivery of services

This paper traces the establishment of African national libraries and the functions with which they are charged. It further discusses the self-examination and evaluation that national libraries, and African librarians in general, have undertaken over the years in a bid to ensure that they provide relevant services to their communities. The effects of the national libraries' commitment to support their respective countries' efforts to attain the UN's Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and their responses to the increasing use of ICTs in all aspects of life are both analyzed. Examples of best practices are given, and the paper concludes with a call to national libraries to look into the future and devise the best ways to provide the supportive role that will help to carry the Sustainable Development Agenda forward beyond 2015.