Library Development

The “D” in E.D.U.F.

The future of higher education across Africa depends on an intentional development of digital libraries. Note the emphasis on development. Two librarians on the forefront of this activity are Sharon Bull, coordinator for implementation and training of OPALS library management system for Nazarene institutions globally and member of the development team of WHDL (Wesleyan Holiness Digital Library) and Beth Restrick, head of the African Studies Library at Boston University.

Even before its official organization, EDUF members and friends were actively involved with “Library Development”. In times past these projects included partnering with Christian Literature for Africa (CLA), Work and Witness Teams taking books and helping to organize them, Nazarene Mission International’s “Books for Pastors, Tools for Ministry” and other visits from volunteers, some of whom are librarians.

How to Help Build Libraries...

We can work to have books and resources uploaded to the Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library. If we have written course materials, papers, or speeches, they can be made available through this digital library. The library is always looking for materials in any language. This would be a wonderful way to provide for the Franophone (French) and Lusophone (Portuguese) students.
We can ask current authors we know if they would be willing to donate 10 books to Africa for the institutional libraries. These can be donated when missionaries come through your area, through CLA or at General Assemblies or other gatherings.
We can gather books and send them to Africa to CLA in Indiana. The Regional Educational Coordinator asks that books intended for the institutional libraries not be older than 1980, unless they are classics (Wynkoop, Wesley, etc.). See the CLA website for more information.
We can support the librarians through training and professional development.

Library Development Team Rocks!

Nazarene Theological College of South Africa

Honeydew, South Africa, May 7 – 29, 2024. Dr. Sharon Bull, Secretary of EDUF, led five librarians to Nazarene Theological College to assist with cataloguing of library resources, adding electronic books to the collection, reviewing policies and procedures, assisting with the library website, all in preparation for the transition of library leadership from Anna Sibeko who is retiring at the end of the year.