The Elusive National Library: The Case of Ghana

Abstract

The paper heartily congratulates the GLA on its 50th birthday. But regrets that its inability to get the national library established has dented its achievements. It identifies, salutes and honours the pioneers of public librarianship in Ghana whom it calls the giants of public librarianship. The paper disagrees that the national library is elusive. Rather it suggests that it is the major stakeholders like the political leadership, the staff of the Ghana Library Authority, the Department of Information Studies and Ghana Library Association whose inaction and inadequate strategies have given the national library the semblance of elusiveness. The paper submits further that if the main stakeholders mentioned above can close their ranks, present a united front and pursue a more pro-active and vigorous strategic plan, it should be possible to get the national library established earlier than anticipated. Finally, the GLA has been urged to provide firm leadership, bring all stakeholders on board and declare 2012 an action year for the establishment of the national library.

Keywords: National Libraries, Legal Deposit, Library Associations