Building partnerships for African digital libraries: the West African Digital Library Network (WADiLiN)
Cory Brandt, Mamadou Lamine Ndoye · Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System) · 2012
Rationale for a West African DL Consortium Despite a proliferation of cybercafes and other manifestations of Internet culture, the digital divide is increasingly evident in Africa.Imbalance in the distribution of information technologies exacerbates existing north-south economic imbalances and marginalizes educators, researchers and students.While eager to embrace emerging technologies and the promise of digital libraries (DL), West African libraries, archives, and museums face a dual challenge.They are increasingly disconnected from online fee-for-service content, and at the same time, lack the capacity to digitize unique proprietary collections.The Internet holds potential to reduce geographical barriers to information access.The irony is that most West African institutions are unable to pay for online database content.Many northern institutions negotiate access through consortia as a means of reducing e-subscription costs.Consortia have also proven effective as tools for the germination of DL activity and development of online content.These approaches have yet to be effectively applied in West Africa.In this context, a model is needed for West African DL development and access to online content.This model can be disseminated through, and ultimately strengthen, regional and sub-regional consortia and North-South partnerships.