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SCECSAL

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Library and Information Associations
NicknameSCECSAL
GenreLibrary and information science
Frequencybiennially
CountriesBotswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Inaugurated1974 (1974)
Websitewww.scecsal.org

The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL) is a regional forum for library and information associations in Africa. It hosts an international conference of member associations every two years, where participants share reports on the status of library science and institutions in their respective countries, and participate in educational workshops.[1]

Background

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The precursor organization was the East African Library Association (EALA), which dissolved in the 1970s.[2][3] Perceiving a remaining need for regional connection between library associations, even after an encompassing regional library association had not worked, Tucker Kigongo Lwanga [Wikidata], a member of the Kenya Library Association [Wikidata], first proposed the creation of SCESCAL in 1972.[2][1]

Lwanga, along with Jafred Shalimba Musisi, Francis Otieno Pala, Isaac M. N. Kigongo-Bukenya [Wikidata], and Ellen Namhila are credited with putting on the first conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1974.[3] The organization began life with the name Standing Conference of Eastern and Central African Librarians (SCECAL), before changing slightly in 1977 to include information workers who were not necessarily librarians.[1]

Administration

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They support library programs in aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[1][4]

Member organizations submit biennial country reports on the development of their national libraries, as well as proposals for regional initiatives, and other obligations. These reports are presented at the General Assembly of SCESCAL.[5]

In October 2023, the organization's structure was re-adapted. The Secretariat is a position held by a member association and is currently held by the Eswatini Library Association.[6]

The most recent constitution for guiding the organization was adopted by the SCECSAL General Council in 2024.[7][1]

Presidents

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Secretary General

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Chairperson of Organizing Committee

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Members and partners

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Member associations have had varying levels of participation, as well as different names over the years.[1] Only organizations from the following nations are eligible for membership: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[9]

Member associations

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Name Country Joined Years hosted Ref.
Botswana Library Association [Wikidata] Botswana 1974 1986 [10]
Kenya Library Association [Wikidata] Kenya 1974 1978, 1998, 2012, 2020, 2024 [3]
Lesotho Library Association [Wikidata] Lesotho 1978 1980
Malawi Library Association [Wikidata] Malawi ~1982 1982, 1994 and 2014
National Information Workers Association of Namibia [Wikidata] (NIWAN) Namibia ~1998 2000, 2021 [11]
Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) South Africa 2002 2002
Eswatini Library and Information Association [Wikidata] (ESWALA) Eswatini ~1985 1988 [6]
Tanzania Library and Information Association [Wikidata] Tanzania 1974 1974, 1992 and 2006
Uganda Library and Information Association [Wikidata] (ULIA) Uganda 1974 1990, 2004 and 2018
Library and Information Association of Zambia [Wikidata] (LIAZ) Zambia 1974 1976
Zimbabwe Library Association (ZimLA) Zimbabwe 1980 1984

Partners

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SCECSAL has collaborated with other associations. In 2022, the biennial conference was held in conjunction with the host's own original conference, the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)'s conference.[12]

Conference editions

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Member associations host the conferences, and occasionally the conferences have been hosted in collaboration with other events.[1]

SCECSAL Conference editions
Date Edition Location Theme and notes Ref.
1974 I Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Libraries and their impact on education, economics and culture in developing countries [2]
1976 II Lusaka, Zambia Libraries and information services as instruments of transition to the 21st century in Africa [2]
1978 III Nairobi, Kenya The development of information systems: an African approach [2]
8 - 13 December 1980 IV Maseru, Lesotho Book promotion and the sharing of resources in Africa [13]
1982 V Blantyre, Malawi Libraries for national development [14]
1984 VI Harare, Zimbabwe Information for national development [15]
1986 VII Gaborone, Botswana Libraries and literacy [16][17]
21 - 29 July 1988 VIII Mbabane, Eswatini Library and information services for the disadvantaged groups [18]
21 - 29 June 1990 IX Kampala, Uganda Bibliographic control in 1990's and beyond [19]
1992 X Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Improving access to information and knowledge for socio-economic and technological development in Africa [20]
1994 XI Blantyre, Malawi Libraries and freedom of Information
9 - 13 December 1996 XII Maseru, Lesotho Libraries & information services in the 21st Century and beyond
27 - 31 July 1998 XIII Nairobi, Kenya Information for sustainable development in the 21st Century [7]
10 - 15 April 2000 XIV Windhoek, Namibia Information 2000: a Vision for the SCECSAL region [21]
15 - 20 April 2002 XV Johannesburg, South Africa From Africa to the World - the globalisation of indigenous knowledge systems [22]
5 - 9 July 2004 XVI Kampala, Uganda Towards a knowledge society for African development [23]
10 - 14 July 2006 XVII Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Libraries as a bridge to an information and knowledge society in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
15-18 July 2008 XVIII Lusaka, Zambia Libraries and information services towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
6 - 9 December 2010 XIX Gaborone, Botswana Enhancing democracy and good governance through effective information and knowledge services [8]
4 - 8 June 2012 XX Nairobi, Kenya Information for sustainable development in a digital environment [24]
28 July - 1 August 2014 XXI Lilongwe, Malawi Information and knowledge management as a driving force for socio-economic development in Africa
25 - 29 April 2016 XXII Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini Digital transformation and the changing role of libraries and information centres in the sustainable development of Africa
23 - 27 April 2018 XXIII Entebbe, Uganda Positioning library and information services to achieve sustainable development: innovations and partnerships; 50th anniversary. [4][25]
8 - 11 February 2021 XXIV Windhoek, Namibia Inclusive libraries and information services towards achieving prosperity for sustainable development; Postponed from 20-24 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
4-7 October 2022 XXV Johannessburg, South Africa Against all odds: Resilience of libraries in a post-truth world - Reimagining, repurposing and rediscovering libraries in a post-truth world; Joint event with LIASA's Annual Conference. [9]
22-26 April 2024 XXVI Mombasa, Kenya Re-imagining library and information services in the digital era [26][27]
27 April - 1 May 2026 XXVII Livingstone, Zambia African Libraries and Information Services at the New Crossroads [28]
2028 XXVIII Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini [6]

Committees and programs

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In 1986, a parliamentary librarian committee was formed among SCECSAL attendees. This group split off into the Association of Parliamentary Libraries in Eastern and Southern Africa [Wikidata] (APLESA) in 1994.[29]

Awards and notable winners

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SCESCAL Author of the Year Awards

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Journal Articles/Chapters in Books Category

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In 2002, the winners of the Journal Articles/Chapters in Books Category were Jenny Raubenheimer from the University of South Africa and John van Niekerk from the Medical University of South Africa.[30]

In 2018, the winner of the Journal Articles/Chapters in Books Category was Jaya Raju [Wikidata] from the University of Cape Town.[30]

Books Category

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In 2000, the winner of the Books Category was Maurice Lundu from Copperbelt University, for two books: The Library in the Service of Society: Philosophical Foundation (1995) and Political Economy of Information on Development, Democracy and Security in Southern Africa (1996).[30]

In 2018, the winner of the Books Category was Maria Musoke from Makerere University, for her book titled Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care. 1st ed.[30]

SCECSAL Best Conference Paper and Presenter Award

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The award was first introduced in April 2000 at the XIV SCECSAL Conference in Windhoek, Namibia.[31]

The winners in 2000 were Kingo Mchombu (University of Namibia), Charles B. M. Lungu (Copperbelt University), and Stephen Mudogo Mutula [Wikidata] (University of Botswana).[31]

The winners in 2002 were Justin Chisenga (Rand Afrikaans University), Andrew Kaniki (University of Natal), M. E. Kutu Mphahlele (University of the North), and Brught Nkhata (Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre at the University of Botswana).[31]

The winners in 2018 were Chiku Mnubi Mchombu (Human Rights and Documentation Centre at the University of Namibia).[31]

SCECSAL Excellence Awards

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This award was created in 2018. The conference did not occur in-person in 2020, due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and winners instead received their awards at the 2024 conference.[32]

The 2018 winners were Tucker Kigongo Lwanga, Jafred Shalimba Musisi (posthumous), Maurice Chifwembe Lundu (posthumous), Isaac M. N. Kigongo-Bukenya (posthumous), and Dr. Justin Chisenga.[32]

The 2020 winners were Dennis Ocholla [Wikidata], Jacina Were, and Nomsa Nqobile Victoria Mkhwanazi (posthumous).[32]

The 2024 winners were Velenasi Mwale Munsanje [Wikidata] and Maria Musoke.[32]

The 2026 winner was Gladys Kemboi (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).[33]

SCECSAL 50th Anniversary Awards

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The 50th anniversary conference of SCECSAL was held in 2024, in Mombasa, Kenya, and presented special awards to people who had made significant contributions and represented their respective organization throughout the organizations' history.[34]

SCECSAL Presidents Award went to the individuals who were in charge when their association had hosted an edition of conference for the first time. These included Dr. Helen Kay Raseroka, Ellen Namhila, and Ellen Tise.[34][35][36]

The SCECSAL Recognition Award was presented to individuals who had made significant contributions to the growth and success to SCECSAL, specifically. These people were Stephen Mudogo Mutula, Dr. John Tsebe, Dr. Helen Kay Raseroka, and Kingo Mchombu.[34][4][37]

The SCECSAL Hosts Award was presented to the Tanzania Library Association, the Kenya Library Association, the Malawi Library Association, and the Uganda Library Association for hosting the conference at least three times since its inception.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Alabi, Adefunke O. (2018-10-19). "The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Library Associations (SCECSAL) XXIII 2018: lessons learned". Library Hi Tech News. 35 (8): 6–9. doi:10.1108/LHTN-07-2018-0042. ISSN 0741-9058.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Musisi, Jafred Shalimba (1998). "The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL): its impact in the region". www.semanticscholar.org. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  3. 1 2 3 Musisi, J. S. (1995). "The Pioneers: Francis Otieno Pala, 1931–1987". World Libraries. 5 (2). ISSN 2155-7896.
  4. 1 2 3 "OSALL Newsletter" (PDF). OSALL Organisation of SA Law Libraries. 35 (1). May 2024 – via OSALL.
  5. ↑ Chisenga, Justin. "Social Media and Professional Networking: Case of Information Professionals in the SCECSAL Region". Academia – via Academia.edu.
  6. 1 2 3 Mweli, Thubelihle (2026-05-05). "ESWATINI TO HOST 28TH SCECSAL CONFERENCE 2028 - Eswatini Positive News". Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  7. 1 2 Ocholla, Dennis (1999-03-01). "Information intermediaries in the next millennium: an agenda for action for the development of information consultancy and brokerage in Africa". Library Management. 20 (2): 105–114. doi:10.1108/01435129910251584. ISSN 0143-5124.
  8. 1 2 Writer, EPHRAIM KEORENG
    Staff (2010-12-21). "Radijeng takes chair of continental libraries". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  9. 1 2 Wyk, Dr Brenda van (2024-05-07). "The 26th SCECSAL Conference: Re-Imagining Library and Information Services in the Digital Era". www.up.ac.za. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  10. ↑ Mutula, Stephen (2003-08-01). "Issues in library associations in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: the case of Botswana Library Association (BLA)". The Electronic Library. 21 (4): 335–351. doi:10.1108/02640470310491568. ISSN 0264-0473.
  11. ↑ Maria. "Namibian Professors Shine at Regional Forum – NIWAN". Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  12. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.liasa.org.za/resource/resmgr/liasa-in-touch/lit_4_22-web.pdf "LIASA-IN-TOUCH"] (PDF). LIASA-IN-TOUCH. 23 (4). December 2022 – via www.liasa.org.za.
  13. ↑ "Book promotion and the sharing of resources in Africa : selected papers; SCECSAL IV". Lesotho Library Association, Maseru, LS. December 1980 – via IDRC.
  14. ↑ Malawi), Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians (5th 1982 Blanytre (1983). Fifth Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL V): proceedings of the Conference held at the Malawi Polytechnic, Blantyre, Malawi, 16th to 21st August, 1982. Zomba [Malawi]: Malawi Library Association.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Publications of International Relevance". IFLA Journal. 12 (2): 156–159. 1986-06-01. doi:10.1177/034003528601200213. ISSN 0340-0352.
  16. ↑ Giggey, Shirley H. (January 1986). "Standing Conference Of Eastern, Central And Southern African Libraries (Scecsal) VII". African Research and Documentation. 42: 35–44. doi:10.1017/S0305862X0000933X. ISSN 0305-862X.
  17. ↑ Asamani, Joseph O., ed. (1987). "Libraries and literacy : proceedings of the seventh meeting of the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians, Gaborone, 4-8 August, 1986". web.nypl.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  18. ↑ Made, S. M.; Motsi, G. C.; J. C., Kufa; Lamusse, F. M. (October 1986). Mnahela, James (ed.). "Information for National Development. S. M. Made, G. C. Motsi, J. C. Kufa, F. M. Lamusse". The Library Quarterly. 56 (4): 431–431. doi:10.1086/601815 – via The University of Chicago Press Journals.
  19. ↑ Raseroka, H. K. (1991). "Report on the Ninth Standing Conference of the Eastern, Central, and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL IX)". Journal (Botswana Library Association). 12 (1): 35–40. ISSN 0254-3117.
  20. ↑ Chiwaya, Matthias (2004-06-01). "Chancellor College Law Library in Malawi". International Journal of Legal Information. 32 (2): 375–378. doi:10.1017/s0731126500004194. ISSN 0731-1265.
  21. ↑ "SCECSAL 2000, 18-22 April 2000, Windhoek, Namibia". Asian Libraries. 8 (4). 1999-04-01. doi:10.1108/al.1999.17308dab.009. ISSN 1017-6748.
  22. ↑ McIlwaine, John (January 2004). Musoke, Maria G.; Phenny, Birungi (eds.). "SCECSAL XVI: Towards a knowledge society for African development: papers presented at the 16th Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations, 5th-9th July 2004, Kampala, Uganda, ed. Phenny Birungi & Maria G. Musoke. Kampala, Uganda Library Association & National Library of Uganda, 2004. vii, 473pp". African Research & Documentation. 96: 81–82. doi:10.1017/S0305862X00014394. ISSN 0305-862X – via ResearchGate.
  23. ↑ Smith, Felicia (1 December 2006). "Silent Librarian Syndrome: Perspectives on SCECSAL Conference XVII". Stanford Digital Repository.
  24. ↑ Ndlangamandla, Khosie C. "Presented at SCECSAL XXth Conference hosted by KLA on 4th-8th June 2012 venue LAICO REGENCY HoTEL Nairobi, Kenya". scecsal.viel.co.ke.
  25. ↑ Alabi, Adefunke O. (2018-10-19). "The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Library Associations (SCECSAL) XXIII 2018: lessons learned". Library Hi Tech News. 35 (8): 6–9. doi:10.1108/LHTN-07-2018-0042. ISSN 0741-9058.
  26. ↑ Nzomo, Peggy (April 23, 2024). "2024 SCECSAL Conference, Mombasa, Kenya". www.library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  27. ↑ Field-Marsham, Rita (2025-03-28). "Reimagining Info Services conference – SCECSAL 2024". Knowledge Empowering Youth. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  28. ↑ "Transform library systems or else, Veep challenges African countries – Times of Zambia". times.co.zm. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  29. ↑ Assembly, National (April 2001). "Association of Parliamentary Libraries oF Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA) -Report of the Proceedings of the Seventh Conference". National Assembly – via Libraryir.parliament.go.ke.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "SCECSAL Author Awards". www.scecsal.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "SCECSAL Best Conference Paper Awards - 2000". www.scecsal.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "SCECSAL Excellence Awards". www.scecsal.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  33. ↑ "ischoolui". www.instagram.com. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "50th SCECSAL Anniversary Awards". www.scecsal.org. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  35. ↑ Maria. "Namibian Professors Shine at Regional Forum – NIWAN". Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  36. ↑ "Statement of Candidacy: Ellen Ndeshi Namhila (Namibia)". IFLA. Archived from the original on 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  37. ↑ Maria. "Namibian Professors Shine at Regional Forum – NIWAN". Retrieved 2026-07-10.
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