Library publishing as an alternative model for the advancement of African scholarship

Abstract

African knowledge production rate remains low, compared to other parts of the world. The challenge has been restricted access to current scholarly debates, resulting in minimal research output. Compounding this access challenge is prejudice within scholarly communication processes exerted by publishers, toward African authors. Using a case study, a solution has emanated from the University of Cape Town Libraries (South Africa) with the library publishing service model. Through this alternative social justice-driven publishing model, a continent-wide open access publishing platform is available to all African institutions. With the result, increased African scholarship can be created and disseminated globally, thereby contributing to transforming the rate of knowledge production.