African Forum for ICT in Libraries and Information Centres (AFILIC)

There are many libraries in Africa that are still using the card
catalogue in steady of online systems (Photo: Justin Chisenga)

Library and information professionals with a strong interest in the use of ICT in libraries and information centres in Africa, who in April 2016 attended the XXII SCECSAL conference in Ezulwini, Swaziland, have established the African Forum for ICT in Libraries and Information Centres (AFILIC).

The goal of AFILIC will be to provide a platform for expertise and dialogue on how to effectively and efficiently integrate ICT into libraries and information centres in Africa to facilitate the delivery of dynamic library and information services that contribute to national, regional and global development agendas.

AFILIC will:

• Facilitate knowledge sharing, lessons learned and good practices on the use of ICT in libraries and information centres; 
• Promote innovative use of ICT in libraries and information centres;
• Advocate for increased investments in ICT facilities for libraries and information centres and equitable access to ICT; 
• Facilitate capacity development for ICT staff in libraries and information centres; 
• Conduct research, document and disseminate information on the use of ICT in libraries and information centres.

AFILIC will carry out its activities through virtual and face-to-face forums including online platforms such as Dgroups, Webinars, etc.; and conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. AFILIC also plans to organize a biennial Africa ICT in Libraries Conference.

AFILIC membership is open to decision makers and practitioners involved in ICT initiatives in libraries and information centres. Specifically these include:

• Individuals (i.e. directors, head of ICT departments/units, etc.) with overall responsibility for ICT initiatives in libraries and information centres;
• Individuals (i.e. systems librarians, information technology librarians, IT specialists, etc.) managing ICT in in libraries and information centres; 
• Individuals with a strong interest in the application of ICT in libraries and information services;
• Students of IT/ICT and library and information studies interested in the in the application of ICT in libraries and information services.

To join AFILIC, complete the Forum’s Dgroups membership form (all the fields should be completed) at:

 https://dgroups.org/fao/afilic/join

Justin Chisenga (Italy) is leading the Forum as Executive Coordinator, with Ms Winny Nekesa (Uganda) serving as Secretary, and Ms Khosie Ndlangamandla (Swaziland) as Professional Networking Officer.

The Forum’s Secretariat is hosted by ITOCA (Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa) based in Centurion, South Africa.