Towards the digital library: A Review of challenges and promises for Sub-saharan countries, pp.15-27

Digital libraries are a key technology for developing countries. They can assist human development by providing a non-commercial mechanism for distributing humanitarian information on topics such as health, agriculture, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and water supply. Many other areas, ranging from disaster relief to medical education, also benefit from new methods of information distribution. Perhaps even more important than disseminating information originating in the developed world is the need to foster the ability for people in developing countries to build information collections locally. The aim of this paper is to review some of the critical information needs in Sub-Saharan Africa and the challenges that face libraries in the region in establishing digital libraries as a way of overcoming the great information shortfall in the region. It outlines promises and strategies forwarded for developing digital library for sub-Saharan countries.