Abstract:
Information and knowledge are keys to industrial development and economic growth. Libraries and information services can effectively acquire, process and disseminate information and knowledge to spur innovation and industrial development in Africa. Most African libraries however are in a weak position to successfully play their roles in economic and industrial development. This paper therefore seeks to assess the role of library and information services as facilitators of innovation and industrial development
in Africa. This study draws from the extensive literature review and various case studies to discuss the following: economic value of information and knowledge; role of innovative library and information services for industrial development; Other initiatives that facilitate access to knowledge and information in Africa; and explores ways on how best libraries and information centers can be used to foster innovation for industrial development in Africa. The analysis raises the need for libraries to change their roles and become active and dynamic knowledge facilitators by adding value to their services required to manage
and convert information into knowledge. Librarians need to engage with the communities, where the business and industrial communities are both contributors and equal partners in knowledge construction, in order to play a key role in innovation and industrial development in Africa. Recommendations are given on how best libraries can respond to the information and knowledge needs of the business and industrial community, and foster innovation and industrial development in Africa
