The Namibia National Bibliography (NNB) serves as a crucial record of the country's publishing output, providing a comprehensive list of titles published in Namibia. Established in 1926 as the Legislative Assembly Library, it evolved over the years and became the National Library of Namibia in 1994. The NNB, guided by the Namibia Library and Information Service Act of 2000, has legal deposit obligations, requiring publishers to deposit five copies of any document within 14 days.
The NNB, initially compiled in print, faced challenges due to staff recruitment and retention issues. Trained librarians are scarce in Namibia, and the library struggled to retain qualified personnel. Additionally, enforcing legal deposit regulations and raising awareness among publishers posed difficulties. Tracing serial publications was hindered by not being a member of the International ISSN Organisation.
Despite challenges, the NNB made strides, with the first successful compilation covering 1971-1979. In 1994, an American, Barbara Bell, set international standards for the NNB, upgrading records and training staff. The NNB evolved from print to an online version, accessible on the National Library's website. Challenges persist, including staff constraints, legal deposit enforcement, and keeping track of serial publications.
Recommendations include lobbying for improved salaries to attract skilled librarians, raising awareness about legal deposit provisions, establishing an ISSN National Centre, and implementing plans to expand ICT infrastructure and skills. The NNB remains crucial for cultural heritage, decision-making, and bibliographic control in Namibia.
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