Collection development in African libraries: the bibliography problem

Abstract

Often when collection development in African libraries is under discussion, emphasis is placed on problems concerning such matters as acquisition budgets, staffing and the book industry. Little is said about problems of bibliography. The aim of this paper is to focus attention on the importance of adequate bibliographies in the development of collections in African libraries. Issues such as lack of comprehensive bibliographies, inadequate infrastructure for producing bibliographies and ineffective legal deposit laws are discussed. An attempt is made to suggest solutions to some of the problems. Among these are the setting up of regional documentation centres, the maintenance of union catalogues and the publication of current and retrospective national bibliographies