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There are now three Universities in Ghana with a total enrollment of about 10,000 students. The oldest and largest is the University of Ghana, Legon, which was established in 1948 as a University College preparing students for the degrees of the University of London. The University of Science and Technology at Kumasi was the second to be established in the country. It started as a College of Technology in 1951 and was raised to University status in 1961. The University of Cape Coast came into being in 1962, mainly to produce graduate teachers for expanding secondary schools and teacher‐training colleges. All the universities have libraries which provide services to faculty members, scholars and students. The number of books allowed to be borrowed, however, depends on the status of the user, with faculty members having more privileges than students at all the universities.

The importance of good management in information organisations is discussed, together with the need for management education for information professionals. Using the situation in Ghana as an example, the types of education being offered in both the library school and other continuing education programmes are explored. An examination is made of the weaknesses of the programme as well as future trends. It is concluded that, although the teaching of management is important in African library schools, every effort should be made to ensure that the academic levels and local situations are taken into account when planning management education programmes.

The aim of this paper is to review the development of the library profession in Ghana from its inception during the colonial period to the present day. It discusses the achievements of the profession as well as its problems. Suggestions are made for solutions to these problems. Wherever possible, comparisons are made with other library professions in the sub‐region, particularly with the Nigeria Library Association which is a sister organisation. The writer concludes that a lot still needs to be done by the Ghana Library Association in order to fulfil the basic attributes of the profession.

The issue of standards has always been uppermost in the minds of librarians, and has also received considerable professional attention. Examines the concept of standards for school libraries in Ghana and their functional applicability. Discusses the standards within the framework of stock; selection; accomodation; financial support; furnishing; services; competent staffing and inter‐library co‐operation. This has been developed in the light of the needs of schools in Ghana which are steadily realizing the importance of libraries.

Examines the roles played by various international and government organizations in the development of libraries in Ghana. Argues some justification for the continued reliance on external assistance in Ghana′s library development, despite the controversial nature of such assistance. Concludes that all government efforts should be made to supplement external assistance in the development of libraries in Ghana.

University libraries in Africa are at present poorly funded. This has adversely affected their collections as well as the image of the libraries and librarians. Major sources of funding such as the central Government and overseas organizations are no longer adequate. Proposes other sources of funding such as contributions from alumni, desk‐top publishing and literature searching. It is hoped that this will reverse the role of the library from information collector to library as information producer.

Examines the types of library service provided in Africa with special reference to public library services, and notes that library services left behind by the colonizers are not useful to the mass of the people in Africa today. Suggests the provision of community information outside the library system which will not only provide materials mainly in local languages but also be suited to the levels of the people in the community.

The library associations in several African countries have been inactive for some time. In those countries where they do try to survive, economic and social constraints are a hindrance to them. Considers the attempts of library associations in Africa to meet the criteria for professionalism. Discusses various barriers to professionalism and suggests how some of these barriers can be broken down. Anticipates that IFLA should play an important role in the development of library associations in Africa.

University libraries acquire book and non‐book materials to support their instructional needs and research programmes. This explains why various library services have been developed to promote and facilitate effective use of recorded information in all formats by users. This paper examines the services offered by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Library which include collection building, resource‐sharing, conservation, user education and technical services. Others include registration, circulation, library publications, reservation, reference, current awareness and library regulation. It is concluded that, in spite of limited resource allocation, UCC Library has made systematic efforts to offer effective library services to its users.

The term “library management” covers many different aspects of the way that a library is operated and conjures up different concepts in the minds of different people, depending on their own interests, agendas and requirements. Research into the subject is even more difficult to define because the application of research in one field can be vital to the development of another. Some researchers would not consider their research central to library matters at all, whereas the practising librarian might well see it as casting new light on a difficult area of understanding or development.