Botswana Library Association

Botswana Library Association
Name	Botswana Library Association
Type	Professional association
Founded	1970s
Headquarters	Gaborone, Botswana
Region served	Botswana
Membership	Librarians, information professionals
Leader title	President

Botswana Library Association is the principal professional body representing librarians and information professionals in Botswana. It functions as a national forum connecting practitioners from institutions such as the University of Botswana, Botswana National Library Service, and municipal libraries in Gaborone and Francistown. The association engages with regional networks including the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions and international bodies like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and the Commonwealth of Nations cultural programs.

History

The association traces roots to library development initiatives linked to the post-independence era following the Bechuanaland Protectorate transition to the Republic of Botswana, with early meetings influenced by advisors from the British Council and partnerships with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Founding members included senior staff from the Botswana National Library Service and librarians attached to the University of Botswana Library and colonial-era mission libraries established by Church Missionary Society and Roman Catholic Church (also known as the Catholic Church). During the 1980s and 1990s the association expanded amid policy shifts related to the Botswana National Development Plan and collaborations with the African Development Bank and bilateral donors such as the European Union.

Mission and Objectives

The association states aims to promote professional standards among librarians serving institutions like the Botswana National Archives and Records Services, University of Botswana, public libraries in Maun, and school libraries associated with the Ministry of Basic Education. Objectives emphasize continuing professional development aligned with competencies promoted by IFLA and capacity-building models used by the Commonwealth Library Association. The mission includes advocacy for information access in line with rights frameworks exemplified by regional instruments such as the Protocol on Information for Africa and continental initiatives like the African Union's information strategies.

Organizational Structure

Governance follows a constitutioned model with an elected Executive Committee including roles analogous to President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer modeled after structures at the South African Library Association and the Library Association of Zimbabwe. Committees address areas such as professional development, publications, ethics, and outreach, mirroring committee functions found at the IFLA sections and the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions governance. Annual general meetings are held in rotation among venues such as the Gaborone International Convention Centre and partner university auditoriums, with bylaws informed by corporate registry practice at the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (Botswana).

Programs and Services

Regular programs include continuing education workshops comparable to offerings by the Library of Congress and training modules adapted from the UNICEF information literacy toolkits for school librarians. Services include a national conference modeled on regional conferences like the East Africa Library and Information Conference, certificate courses developed with the University of Botswana's Department of Library and Information Studies, and publication of newsletters and professional bulletins following examples set by the South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science. The association administers awards and recognition schemes akin to prizes offered by the Praxis Prize and organizes membership drives using strategies similar to campaigns by the Commonwealth Foundation.

Membership and Chapters

Membership categories include professional, associate, student, and institutional affiliates drawn from entities such as the Botswana National Library Service, university libraries at the University of Botswana, research libraries at agencies like the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis, and private sector information units in Gaborone and Francistown. Local chapters operate in regions including the North-West District around Maun and the Central District near Palapye, modeled on decentralization practiced by the Library and Information Association of South Africa. Student chapters exist at tertiary institutions influenced by curricula at the University of Botswana and technical colleges that mirror approaches used by the Institute of Information Scientists (historical).

Advocacy and Public Policy

The association engages in policy dialogue with bodies such as the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, and regulatory agencies including the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority to influence legislation affecting library services. Advocacy priorities have included public access to information initiatives resonant with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and digital inclusion projects similar to those championed by the International Telecommunication Union. Statements and position papers have been presented at regional forums like meetings of the Southern African Development Community on literacy and information access.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The association maintains strategic partnerships with national institutions such as the Botswana National Library Service and the University of Botswana, regional networks including the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions, and international donors and agencies like the British Council, UNESCO, and the Commonwealth of Learning. Collaborative projects have involved joint training with the National Library of South Africa, research exchanges with the University of Pretoria, and participation in multi-stakeholder programs supported by the World Bank and bilateral partners from the European Union. These partnerships support capacity-building, digitization pilots, and advocacy campaigns aligned with continental agendas set by the African Union.

Category:Library associations Category:Organisations based in Botswana