Prof. Akakandelwa Akakandelwa

Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Zambia

Prof. Aka is a Senior Lecturer in the UNZA School of Education and Coordinator of its Master of Library and Information Science Programme. Having previously held varied positions at the UNZA Libraries, as a Senior Lecturer at Evelyn Hone College, and as a secondary school teacher as well as editor of the major LIS journals of Zambia, he is especially well-suited to provide guidance to Lubuto Library Partners. But having served as a Deputy Chair of the Management Board of the Zambia Library, Cultural and Skills Center for the Visually Impaired, and his commitment to promoting library services for children with disabilities, is perhaps what pulled him most strongly to Lubuto, and he was thrilled when he learned about Lubuto libraries’ sign language storytimes.  He advised us on acquiring materials for the blind and taught a session on “service to people with disabilities” during the national and council librarians training at the Mumuni Library in Nabukuyu village. He is also a strong supporter of the development of our partnership with the LIS department at UNZA. “Whenever I … visit a Lubuto library I marvel at the high degree of enthusiasm, passion, engagement, and enjoyment displayed by the children and youth; there’s no room for idleness, there is no dull moment. How I wish every village and community in every corner of this country had a Lubuto library! Lubuto libraries are a national heritage, and as such, they need to be cherished and supported.” Dr. Aka holds a PhD from the University of Antwep in Belgium, an MLIS from the University of Botswana, and a BALIS from the University of Zambia.