Panel Chair: Elie Kamate, Country Director, Sightsavers, Mali. NALB – Towards the Establishment of a Network Of African Libraries Serving Blind and Visually Impaired People.
director@salb.org.za
The rendering of Library services to persons with visual impairment for the purposes of information, education and recreation is non-negotiable. The Marrakesh Treaty has created various opportunities. One of the opportunities is for African Countries to consider the establishment of a Network of Libraries serving persons with visual impairment. Cross-border exchange, not only of material but of knowledge and expertise, is now becoming a reality. It is envisaged that with the proposed establishment of the Network, participating libraries from various African Countries could meet on a regular basis to share common challenges and successes, learn from each other and jointly plan new strategies to establish or improve library services. The joint development of project plans to benefit all who wants to participate is also envisaged. It is proposed that the Network will assist to address those challenges jointly in a unique African manner.