African universities and the challenge of knowledge creation and application in the information age

Information is a resource for development. It is vital for every aspect of our personal and working lives. Libraries have traditionally been among the foremost repositories in the dissemination of information. But the ways in which they fulfil these roles are rapidly altered by modern technologies. African university libraries are gradually embracing these new technologies as an opportunity to extend their information services to their clientele and even beyond. Experience has shown that the various levels of investment by African university libraries in information and communication technologies are inconsistent. This article examines the application of current information and communication technologies in African academic libraries and their implications in academia.