WEBINAR 2 : Building Sustainable Library Systems through Partnerships, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment
Aim
To demonstrate how we can build Sustainable Library Systems across Sub-Saharan Africa through Partnership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment.
About Damilare the Speaker
Damilare Oyedele, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Library Aid Africa, is a Librarypreneur with over a decade of experience in the library ecosystem in Africa and the global library field. He focuses on leveraging digital technology and community engagement approaches to transforming libraries into key drivers of sustainable development. His work spans capacity building, innovative design, data-driven advocacy, policy, and research, enhancing libraries to contribute meaningfully to education, innovation, and inclusive communities.
Under his leadership, Library Aid Africa has reached over 22 African countries, working collaboratively with in-country library partners. The continental scope of our work presents a unique opportunity to strategically collaborate with key stakeholders across African library ecosystems. Notable initiatives include, but are not limited to, the Young African Library Leaders Fellowship, Library Tracker, Libraryselfie series, The Library Policy Fellowship Library Volunteer Corps, LibraryXAfrica,, Libraries for a Digital Future, among many others.
Over the years, Damilare has been actively engaged in implementing programs to improve library usage, strengthen advocacy for libraries, enhance the capacity of young library professionals, and build multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations. These efforts have highlighted the strategic need for a more dynamic approach to promoting libraries and the contributions they can make to society.
About Melba the Moderator
Melba Sitwala is a University Librarian at the International University of Management (IUM) and current President of the National Information Workers Association of Namibia (NIWAN) was honored as the Librarian of the Month for February 2025. This recognition was for her dedication to capacity building efforts, coaching & mentorship for both early career and practicing information professionals in Namibia and beyond. Passionate about her work, she has strategically established strong partnerships with other African librarians. She has volunteered with Library Aid Africa to groom African Librarians across Africa on how Libraries can help realise the SDGs from 2020 to date. She has hosted several webinars as well.