������ý

CHICAGO — Sustainable development can only be achieved when no one is left behind. An enduring lesson from the COVID-19 crisis is how important the availability of digital infrastructure and skills for individuals and communities is for teaching, learning, employability or just being able to participate fully in society. An important new collection published by Facet Publishing and available through the ������ýStore, “” seeks to explain how the global pandemic has exacerbated the already existing digital gap in Africa, where so many have had to quickly adapt and use online platforms for various purposes. Edited by Helena Asamoah–Hassan, the book features contributions from libraries across Africa outlining how they have approached the shift towards a better and more widespread digital literacy. Coverage includes:

• how in Kenya, in line with the country's national vision, libraries have been teaching their user communities, including deaf children, to ably operate in online spaces;
• the role of digital literacy in increasing employability in Tunisia;
• the efforts of the Ghana Library Authority, the National Library of Nigeria, and the City of Johannesburg Library, South Africa in driving digital literacy through eLearning initiatives and other digital services; and
• insights into the level of digital skills of students in Uganda and how tertiary institutions in Botswana have been moving to teaching and learning on digital platforms.

Asamoah–Hassan is Executive Director of the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA). She was previously University Librarian at the Kwame University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and was a member of the Governing Board of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) 2007-11. Helena has been consultant to numerous international organizations on library and information issues and has served and still serves on several other committees at national, regional, and international levels. She is author or editor of six books or chapters, 19 refereed conference proceedings and journal articles, and more than 100 conference papers.

, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. Many book retailers and distributors are experiencing service disruptions or delays, including Amazon. For speediest service, from the ������ýStore. purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ������ýauthors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ������ýEditions | ������ýNeal-Schuman at editionsmarketing@ala.org.

Related Links