Managing a professional library and information science journal in Africa

• Published in: Library review (Glasgow) 2007-03, Vol.56 (2), p.134-146
• Main Author: Omekwu, Charles O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Library and information science; Library management
• ISSN: 0024-2535; 1758-793X
• DOI: 10.1108/00242530710730321

Purpose - The main objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss issues, innovations and imperatives related to the management of professional library and information science (LIS) journals in Africa.Design methodology approach - The strategy adopted was to preface the concerns about the quality of journals from Africa and then synthesize managerial issues that must be resolved to enhance quality. The next approach was to draw up a ten-step plan of innovative ways to enhance the quality of (LIS) journals in Africa. Finally, the paper discusses eight critical imperatives related to effective management of African LIS journals.Findings - The major concerns are that the continent's LIS journals are substandard, suffer high mortality and hardly appear regularly. Issues to be addressed to stem this tide of affairs include increased subscription spread, revenue base and the development of scholarly content. The paper argues that African LIS journals will continue to die young if innovative strategies are not injected to rejuvenate them.Practical implications - The developments in the foreground indicate a better and brighter future for African professional LIS journals. African LIS journal managers must work towards financial independence, introduce or continue the review process, design scholarly content and strive for international competitiveness.Originality value - Probably the most comprehensive articulation of the challenges and opportunities facing LIS journal publishing in Africa.