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The academic library is the intellectual hub of the institution it serves. As an effective instrument for the improvement of educational standards it should make its presence felt and exert its influence on the academic community by reorganising library facilities and improving its services. Over the years, academic libraries in Sierra Leone have been gradually losing recognition of their role and this is raising concern in academic circles. This article examines the role of these institutions at the University of Sierra Leone.

Democracy assumes that people have access to facts and opinions from a wide range of sources. Democratic decision making, be it at a local or national level, depends on equality of access to information. Sierra Leone has only recently had her democracy restored and professional librarians with their skills can play a vital role in providing such access and thus aid the development of an informed society, if this hard‐won system of government is to be maintained.

Information is a resource for development. It is vital for every aspect of our personal and working lives. Libraries have traditionally been among the foremost repositories in the dissemination of information. But the ways in which they fulfil these roles are rapidly altered by modern technologies. African university libraries are gradually embracing these new technologies as an opportunity to extend their information services to their clientele and even beyond. Experience has shown that the various levels of investment by African university libraries in information and communication technologies are inconsistent. This article examines the application of current information and communication technologies in African academic libraries and their implications in academia.

To argue for the development and implementation of a national library and information policy in Sierra Leone.

The paper is an opinion piece discussing the current situation in the country and proposing a new model.

That Sierra Leone would greatly benefit from a national policy that could aid development in the post‐war period.

The paper offers a model for the implementation of a national policy.

The paper is the first paper to argue for a national policy for Sierra Leone.

This paper aims to, invariably, critically look at primary records, their origins, categorization, uses and what the future holds for them, amid changing times. From the cradle of civilization, people have been using varied ways to record, store and distribute information. Years back, people kept their records on such materials as wax, papyrus, leather, clay, parchment, paper and wood. But recent technological developments have brought about different formats which in turn have influenced the choice of materials and methods used to write and circulate information.

This is a viewpoint paper on primary documents in library and information service institutions. The paper critically looks at the different types of primary documents, how they are collected, the challenges involved and their future amid changing technological times. Relevant literature was consulted, including the Internet.

The findings are that the future of primary documents will remain bleak if librarians, curators, records managers and archivists do not give serious thought to primary documents regardless of the fact that they are germane in library and information science.

This is a viewpoint paper on primary documents. Relevant information was drawn from varied readings in library and information service institutions as well as from the Internet.

Discusses the development of local history collections within libraries in Sierra Leone.

The article is a reflective viewpoint.

That there is a growing interest in local history collections in libraries in Sierra Leone, and that more formal structures should be put in place to safeguard these materials for the future.

Proposes some ways forward for ensuring the long term viability of local collections in Sierra Leone.

The article is the first on the topic of local history collections in Sierra Leone's libraries, and should be of interest to librarians around the world who have an interest in local history librarianship.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of oral traditions and the role of libraries in ensuring they are preserved in societies.

Offers a review of the literature and a wider discussion on oral traditions and the role of libraries in preserving them, with specific relation to Sierra Leone.

Measures should be taken to resuscitate this knowledge of oral cultures. As libraries are repositories of knowledge there is every reason for librarians to play a leading role in this direction.

Of interest to librarians dealing with oral cultures or interested in the topic.

The paper discusses a unique topic with specific reference to a developing country.