African culture and libraries: the information technology challenge

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the invention of computer systems, information and communication technology and the internet as the critical landmarks in the transformation of information processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination. Design/methodology/approach - A survey of 42 librarians in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Ibadan was carried out, along with information gathered from research on the internet. Findings - The paper reports on how the internet can affect African cultural values in the area of songs/music and dance, theater, dress, languages, arts, housing, marriage, child care, friendship, decoration, religion, politics and personality profile development. Librarians' IT skills, internet literacy and awareness of the implications of the unfolding environment on library and African cultural value systems are discussed. Originality/value - The paper recommends a set of proactive professional repositioning that African librarians must initiate as custodians of both information and African rich cultural heritage.