Libraries

In this chapter, we explore the critical role of Africa in developing/decolonizing libraries and world civilization. Africa has contributed significantly to world civilization through ancient and modern/smart libraries. This chapter looks at the multilayered aspects of how Africa has contributed to the decolonization of libraries by developing modern libraries that resonate with the aspirations of its people. This chapter also examines African libraries before and after the onset of colonialism regarding the production, processing, dissemination, and archiving of knowledge. It, in addition, investigates the challenges of African libraries in the era of “decoloniality.” The chapter further analyzes the ancient African libraries, focusing on their contribution to modern library and information science. Moreover, and more importantly, with the preceding aspects as a backdrop, this chapter discusses how Africa has been specifically conceptualized by scholars in the field of Library Studies also referred to as Library Science and Library and Information Science. In the end, a conclusion is drawn, and recommendations are tendered. Accordingly, the following research question guides the chapter: How has ancient African librarianship contributed to modern libraries? Africans should not be astonished by the knowledge of knowledge and its acquisition since historical evidence confirms that their ancestors, the ancient people of Kemet/Ancient Egypt, referred to as “the black land,” were the first to establish and operate libraries and higher education institutions in the world.