INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AFRICAN BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abstract

This paper, presented at the 1967 International Conference on African Bibliography, examines the critical role of microform technology—including microfilm and microfiche—in addressing the challenges of acquiring, preserving, and providing bibliographic control for Africana materials. The author highlights issues such as the deterioration of original documents, duplication of effort, and the inaccessibility of rare or scattered collections. The document surveys various microform projects involving journals, newspapers, government gazettes, dissertations, archives (from colonial powers like Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal, and Germany, as well as African nations like Kenya and Tanzania), and ephemeral political materials. It discusses technical aspects, costs, copyright concerns, and the importance of cooperative initiatives like the Cooperative African Microform Project (CAMP). The paper concludes by advocating for improved bibliographic standards, the establishment of documentation centres in Africa, and greater international cooperation to ensure the preservation and widespread accessibility of African primary sources