Dynamic Library Leadership for Sub-Saharan Africa: Investing in What Works

Developments in the current information age pose considerable challenges to library leadership, notably in sub-Saharan Africa. Libraries can no longer be unilateral in their actions; rather, library leadership must work in partnership with networks, consortia, political organizations and other institutions in society. In the spirit of NEPAD's Capacity Development Strategic Framework (CDSF), library leadership must value more than before, its human resources, focus on enhancing their skills, become more resourceful and innovative in the development of information services. It is therefore important to rethink leadership styles for the library in sub-Saharan Africa. The author argues for a participative leadership style, characterized by a multi-tasked and multi-skilled approach.