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TANZANIA COUNTRY REPORT 2004- 2006Dr Alli Abushiri Mcharazo SCECSAL members and non-members, library and information professionals, para-professionals, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Today, my task is to present to you a report that assesses the library and information situation since the last report was presented to you in July 2004. It would be logical, therefore to reflect upon the previous report and program of activities while assessing the past, the present and the future situations, as per SCECSAL guidelines.
In my previous (2004) report it was stated that the situation regarding public libraries and information units was improving and encouraging. To date, the same position subsists. This is attributed by the willingness of the Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) and local Authorities to work in partnership towards running the Regional libraries. As a result there is a regional public library in every region of the mainland Tanzania. The challenge for both organizations is to open more branches to district and village levels. We are also witnessing quite a number of non - governmental libraries being introduced in various organizations. Furthermore, as a result of availability and affordability of ICT, we are now witnessing many libraries being automated. Indeed, this is a commendable move, and TLA continues to encourage them to maintain this positive move.
We are also witnessing a move by academic libraries to develop research agendas. Good examples are libraries of the University of Dar es Salaam and the University College of lands and Architectural Studies just to mention a few. This move is highly commendable and we encourage other academic and research libraries to follow suit.
The challenge continues to have well–resourced libraries and information units for the benefit of our communities.
TLA also notes, with positive reception, the existence of government policies that make it mandatory for public and private institutions and organizations to have libraries/documentation centres/resource centre. We are witnessing the establishment of libraries in the ever-mushrooming private scholar and colleges.
The situation is the same with NGOs. While we applaud the move, we are also obliged to advice and encourage schools, colleges and institutions to run their libraries professionally.
TLA continues to implement its strategic plan that was endorsed by the Annual General Meeting in Zanzibar in 2004. Implementation of this strategic plan started from January 2005. Under the strategic plan the following were performed /achieved:
A significant development has happened since 2004 when Tumaini University established a BA in Library and Information Studies. This is a good and commendable move. This is a significant milestone, in the sense that quite a number of para-professionals who were stuck in their carrier development are now provided with the new opportunity to farther their career. TLA has created close links with the program at Tumaini University.
TLA is extremely grateful to Norwegian Library Association and NORAD in availing us the Grace Lema Foundation Scholarships from 2004 to 2006. Under this program, some members of TLA have been able to attend a two years Diploma course in librarianship at SLADS in Bagamoyo.
Preparations for SCECSAL XVII in Dar es Salaam went on quite well. The Organizing Committee, which was formed as a taskforce for preparations of fundraising, themes and sub-themes development was quite successful and accordingly papers got ready in time. The organizing Committee recognizes all partners in and outside Tanzania who supported the committee whenever such need arose. The same applies with SCANUL-ECS.
The Organizing Committee is extremely grateful to organizations that have supported SCECSAL XVII. However, running SCECSAL is a huge undertaking that always needs a lot of assistance and support from other organizations and experienced individuals at different levels.
Eight members of TLA attended the IFLA, Oslo Conference in August 2005. Those were: Dr. Alli Abushiri Shomari Mcharazo, TLA Chairman, from MUCHS, Mr. Phillidas Munubhi, TLA Secretary, from UCLAS, Prof Elizabeth Kiondo from the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr. Frankwell Dulle from SUA, Mrs. Matilda Kuzilwa from Mzumbe University, Mr. Benedict Albert Kandoya from Aga Khan University, Ms Jennifer Mgendi from MUCHS, Sarah Kagoda-Batuwa from the East African Cooperation, Ms Mboni Ruzega from Tanzania Library Services Board, Mr. Masengo from Magogoni Civil Service College.
TLA still observes that Tanzania’s participation, as an association and as individuals, to the above conferences is much adequate as compared to previous years. Nevertheless, TLA continues to encourage its members to attend IFLA and present papers. TLA also encourages its members to attend other Annual General Meetings of Associations in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.
You may recall that at the Uganda Library Association (ULA) was assigned the task to prepare a draft constitution for the Federation. ULA has done that and submitted the draft to national associations for comments, inputs and approval. The document was distributed to you through your emails, and discussed and approved at the Zanzibar Annual General Meeting. The feedback was sent to ULA. We still wait to hear from ULA.
Up until December 2005 there were very few paid-up members (individual and institutional). To a large extent, this position has been detrimental to the Association performance and finances. But it is worth mentioning that experiences from other parts of the world shows that the success of library associations depends so much on its membership contributions and their subscriptions for the effective running of their activities.
However, today I am pleased to say that the present position regards membership of the Association is not as bad as it used to be. There are now good signs that librarians and other information workers are joining the association. The Executive Committee, have worked very hard to ensure that this trend prevails and that more members from all sectors of the profession are recruited as the membership revival program continues.
The programme of activities for 2005/2006 is geared towards TLA capacity building and development activities. The specific activities are as follows:
More details of these activities will be worked out and distributed to you by the office of the Head of Planning, Finance and Administration in due course
The task of SCECSAL XVII (2006) has been huge. But the mere fact that we have been entrusted to conduct this famous conference in Dar es Salaam we have been quite successful in handling such a huge conference on the soils of Tanzania. This again proves beyond reasonable doubt, that whenever TLA is entrusted a task it will never the fail you or disappoint you. It is indeed a pleasure that SCECSAL countries and others showed confidence on TLA in Kampala.
The successful opportunity to revive our Association and consequently holding the SCECSAL XVII 2006 in Dar es Salaam is a result of tireless TLA Executive Committee members and SCECSAL Organizing Committee. These have been working overtime to ensure the success of this huge business. May I therefore take this opportunity to specifically congratulate and thanks Executive Committee members Mr. Theophilus Mlaki, the Treasure, Mr Hermenegild Haule; the Organizing Secretary, Mr Abdallah Hassan; the Secretary, Mrs Dorothy Sekimang’a, Ms Aileen Mfuru, mr John Mollel, Mr A. Saiwaad, Ms I. Mfuru and Mr Phillidas Munubhi. Many thanks should also go to our webmaster, Mr Al-Amin Yusuph, who has made it easier for TLA to communicate fast with its members by using TLA new website and yahoogroups forum. Our meting here would not have been possible without the support of colleagues.
And lastly, but not least, many thanks must go to all participants of this meeting.
Many thanks and I wish you all successful in your career.
Dr Alli Mcharazo For comments about the site contact: Justin Chisenga |
