The ALA IRC Africa subcommittee thanks our speakers at ALA Annual 2026: Arnold Mwanzu, Associate Professor & Associate University Librarian at Aga Khan University, and Lisa Hussey, Professor at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science. We also thank all who attended and shared their perspectives, questions, and willingness to continue making international connections.
Arnold shared the results of a study looking at how academic libraries in low- and middle-income countries have implemented various artificial intelligence and automation tools, as represented by libraries in several African and Asian countries. Read more:
Nakaziba, S., Abong, K., Namuguzi, M. et al. Application of artificial intelligence in academic libraries in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Discov Educ 5, 292 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01308-0 [open access]
Lisa talked about her work with schools in Rwanda and what technologies seem to most engage students. Find out more about the schools on the Maranyundo Initiative [https://www.maranyundo.org/] and watch a different presentation of Lisa's:
Collection Development in Rwandan School Libraries: A Discussion with Prof. Lisa Hussey (April 3, 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_fLNc7lMQ
Remember this Friday is the National Read Aloud 2026 in Kenya. They are going for a world record! Read more on the Start A Library Trust website: https://startalibrary.org/the-national-read-aloud/
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Justine Withers
Metadata and Resource Management Librarian
University of Chicago
D'Angelo Law Library
She/Her/Hers
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