Librarian Spotlight Africa (LSA): The Journey So Far (By Sylvester Ebhonu, Ramatu Haliru, Folasade Adepoju and Victoria Chukwuedozie)
As the curtains fall on the first season of Librarian Spotlight Africa (LSA), it’s time to reflect on a journey that has been nothing short of transformative. From February to December 2024, LSA has celebrated 11 honorees whose stories, achievements, and insights have reshaped the narrative of librarianship in Africa. What began as a vision to recognize and amplify the impact of African librarians gradually evolved into a movement, inspiring many and redefining librarianship and its role in the Society. In December 2024, LSA launched its pioneering Locate My Library Initiative, a project designed to enhance the visibility and accessibility of libraries across Africa.
As we wrap up the first Season of this programme, let us reflect on the journey so far:
February 2024: Prof. Yetunde Zaid – Pioneering Inclusiveness and AI
LSA’s maiden spotlight shone on Prof. Yetunde Zaid from Nigeria, she was celebrated for her groundbreaking integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in library operations at University of Lagos. Her commitment to inclusivity sets a new benchmark for libraries, emphasizing the importance of determination and focus in achieving professional milestones. She encouraged librarians to be focus and determine to achieve their set goals. Click to Watch the Complete Video
March 2024: Lbrn Pastor Dominic Omokaro – Transformative Leadership in Librarianship
In March, the programme gained some momentum as Lbrn (Dr, Pst) Dominic Omokaro, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Library Association, was recognized for his visionary leadership. His tenure has seen innovative initiatives that have strengthened the association and advocated for issues affecting librarianship in Nigeria, positioning him as a transformative figure. His approach to leadership inspired viewers to rethink the role of Librarians in society. Click to Watch the Complete Video
April: Mr. Kepi Madumo – Safeguarding Cultural Heritage
In April, South Africa’s National Librarian, Mr. Kepi Madumo was honoured and he shared great insights on the importance of libraries as custodians of cultural heritage. His advocacy for social cohesion and preservation of South African cultural heritage through legal deposits showcased libraries as critical pillars of national identity and education and earned him this recognition. Click to Watch the Complete Video
May: Dr. Fatima Jibril Abduldayan – Advocating Open Access
Dr. Fatima Jibril Abduldayan was recognized as librarian of the month of May, 2024. Her outstanding work in community outreach and expertise in research data management and open science brought fresh perspectives to the field. Key take away from her session were advocacy for promotion and sustenance of open access to knowledge and information, be it online or physical format. She emphasized the importance of partnership with the press, and team work from local to international level. Her commitment to using data to solve real-world problems emphasized the evolving demands of the profession. Her story reinforced the importance of equipping librarians with skills that align with global trends. Click to Watch the Complete Video
June: Mr. Peter Balaba – Innovation in Community Libraries
June’s edition celebrated a librarian who redefined public library services in his community. From launching radio programs to providing digital literacy training, his work reflected truly, the innovative ways public libraries can remain relevant. Mr Peter Balaba’s work in Nakaseke, Uganda, was indeed inspiring. He equipped his community members with digital skills, collaborated with organisations like UNESCO, EIFL, and AfLIA to enhance the Nakaseke public library services and expanding their reach. Click to Watch the Complete Video
July: Naomi Ubogu – Transforming Libraries
In July, we turned the spotlight on an honoree whose career was dedicated to modernizing NGF Libraries. Her journey from setting up a library from scratch to implementing cutting-edge technologies served as an inspiring example of how librarians can drive organizational growth. Naomi Ubogu’s work in automating and digitizing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Library made her a deserving honoree for this edition. Her journey reminds us that a deep passion for librarianship can lead to transformative change, both in personal careers and in the institutions we serve. Click to Watch the Complete Video
August: Mr. Mulugeta Woldetsadik – Social Impact through Libraries
Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Woldetsadik was celebrated for his impactful blogs and collaborations with international organizations advocating for library development. His efforts in enhancing school libraries and improving rural access to information through outreach programs have significantly impacted the Sidama region. His passion for libraries and literacy made him a natural fit for LSA. This edition exposed our viewers and followers to different ways that libraries and Librarians can create change. Click to Watch the Complete Video
September 2024: Dr. Sola Owolabi – Transformative Therapies in Libraries
In September, Dr. Sola Owolabi, a distinguished Nigerian librarian, lecturer, and expert in bibliotherapy and cinematherapy, known for leveraging these innovative therapies to address social challenges, particularly among adolescents and young adults was honoured. His mentorship in integrating modern technologies like AI into library management positioned him as a thought leader. His session encouraged viewers to think beyond just books and explore unconventional ways to use libraries as platforms for healing and social change. Click to Watch the Complete Video
October 2024: Paul Mensah – Driving Education Equity
While we initially planned to spotlight Paul Mensah a changemaker from Ghana, who couldn’t make it, the October edition took a surprising turn with the inclusion of Damilare Oyedele as a special guest. Damilare’s engagement highlighted the pressing challenges libraries face in Africa and commended LSA for its role in addressing these issues. His discussion brought valuable insights into the intersection of libraries and societal impact, reinforcing the relevance of LSA’s mission. Click to Watch the Complete Video
November: Dr. Nkem Osuigwe – Leadership in Open Access
November’s edition celebrated a trailblazer in open access and capacity building in Africa. The honoree’s initiatives, including mobilizing African librarians through the #1Lib1Ref campaign, have had a global impact. Dr. Nkem E. Osuigwe’s advocacy for open-source knowledge and mentorship through AfLIA reinforced the evolving role of librarians as active contributors to global narratives. Click to Watch the Complete Video
December: Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed – A Librarian in Governance
The season concluded with Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed, whose journey from librarian to Commissioner of Information highlighted the versatility of librarianship. The focus shifted to the essential qualities librarians must embody to thrive in their profession. His emphasis on digital literacy, cultural collaboration, the value of libraries and need for Librarians to advocate for their profession underscored the profession’s critical role in societal development. Click to Watch the Complete Video
Our Reflections and Prospects
This season has indeed been a very remarkable journey, but more importantly, it was a learning experience. Africa’s linguistic diversity presented some challenges, especially in cases where honorees were not fluent in English, affecting communication. Also, our efforts to spotlight librarians from Francophone countries were unsuccessful, likely due to this language barrier, which firms up the need for more inclusive engagement strategies in future editions. Technical glitches during live streams reminded us of the importance of robust planning, reliable internet and streaming gacilities. Despite these hurdles, the programme continued to adapt and improve.
While our YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn audience engagement metrics indicate growing interest, the impact of LSA is also seen in the testimonials and feedback from our honorees and viewers. Many have shared how the programme has inspired them to approach their work differently. While we continue to refine our impact assessment strategies, Season Two promises to be even more impactful to the global library community. With plans to include more African countries, collaborate with international organizations, and launch initiatives, LSA is poised to make a greater impact. We’re also looking forward to explore partnerships to fund and expand the programme, ensuring its sustainability and reach. If you’d like to volunteer and contribute your skills to this growing initiative, we’d love to have you on board. Volunteer here!
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Librarianship!
As we close this remarkable first season of Librarian Spotlight Africa, your feedback is very important in helping us grow and achieve our mission of redefining librarianship across Africa. Please take a moment to complete our Feedback / Impact Survey.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our honorees, viewers, and team members for making Season One (2024) a success. Your support helped us bring this vision to life. As we prepare for Season Two, which commences in February, do you know an outstanding librarian or changemaker who embodies innovation, leadership, and dedication to advancing libraries in Africa? Nominate them here for the upcoming season! Share our videos, and support our initiatives. Together, let’s continue to share/amplify the impact of librarianship across Africa.
Explore More: Access the full playlist of Season 2024 episodes:
February 2024: Prof. Yetunde Zaid
March 2024: Pastor Dominic Omokaro
May 2024: Dr. Fatima Jibril Abduldayan
August 2024: Mr. Mulugeta Woldetsadik
September 2024: Dr. Sola Owolabi
November 2024: Dr. Nkem Osuigwe
December 2024: Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed
