The imperative for change: Curriculum revision in South Africa

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nassimbeni, Mary

Affiliations: School of Librarianship, University of Cape Town, Private Bag Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa

Abstract: From an international perspective, sources for change that impact on library and information science are identified and analysed and current advances in the field are discussed. An attempt is made to determine the extent to which they impact on and are applicable to the library and information environment in South Africa. The South African political, economic and social conditions are particularised and analysed insofar as they have an influence on professional practice. Implications for education for librarianship are considered in the light of accelerated rate of change in social, political and economic relations. Key issues to be addressed by the organized profession are identified and a plea is made for a reformulation of strategic objectives for library and information science in South Africa which will also imply a redefinition or refinement of educational goals and objectives. Note. The terms such as as white, black (African), coloured and Asian (or Indian) used by the Population Census (and by the South African Institute of Race Relations) are employed in this paper for purposes of clarity and because, as Kallaway notes, “race as an analytical category presents itself forcefully to anyone concerned with understanding the dynamics of South African society” [1, p. 37). [French, German, and Spanish translations of this abstract can be found on pp. 245–249)

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1988-6204

Journal: Education for Information, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 153-185, 1988