About Us

Aims

The Namibia Library and Information Council, established in 2001, is the advisory body to the Namibian Government on library and archive related matters. It supports over 65 public or community libraries, 17 special or ministerial libraries, 493 school libraries, as well as the National Library and the National Archives of Namibia.

The council aims to:

• Strengthen the institutional governance.
• Transform organizational culture.
• Improve information and records management practices.
• Enhance access to information.
• Enhance technological innovation through digitalization.
• Inculcate a culture of excellence.
• Enhance service delivery and customer experience.
• Improve stakeholder relations.
• Strengthen regulatory framework.

Legislative and Policy Frameworks

The following Legislatives and Policy frameworks governlibrary information service in Namibia:

• Education Act, Act No. 16 of 2001
• Vision 2030
• Harambee Prosperity Plan
• National Development Plans (1-5)
• Public Service Act, Act No 13 of 1995
• National Archives Act, Act No. 12 of 1992
• Namibia Library and Information Service Act, Act No. 4 of 2000, and the
• Information for self-reliance and development policy: A policy framework for libraries and allied information Agencies for Namibia

Composition of the Council

1. a person nominated by an association or organization which the Minister reasonably believes represents regional councils in Namibia and who is conversant with library and information matters within the regions;

2. a person nominated by an association or organization which the Minister reasonably believes represents local authority councils in Namibia;

3. a staff member of the Ministry;

4. a staff member nominated by the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation;

5. a staff member nominated by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology;

6. a person nominated by an association or organization which the Minister reasonably believes represents the interests of library and information practitioners in Namibia; and

7. no more than three persons who the Minister reasonably believes represent the interests of information technology expertise, library and information related fields, library users and the mass media, respectively.

NLIC Subcommittees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee makes decisions on behalf of the Council. It usually deals with urgent matters when the full Council cannot meet and represents the Council at functions or meetings. The Executive Committee consists of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Director of NLAS, two other members nominated by the Council, and the NLIC Administrator. The committee meets as often as required.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is an advisory committee dealing with finance related decisions and the auditing of financial records of the Council. It is composed of the NLIC Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Director of NLAS Service, the NLIC Administrator, and two other members nominated by Council. The committee meets four (4) times per annum, or more frequently, as required.

Legal Deposit Committee

The Legal Deposit Committee coordinates and promotes legal deposit activities, and provides recommendations concerning legal deposit regulations. The committee consists of the Head of the National Library (Chairperson), the Head of the National Archives, the Head of each other place of deposit, a designated Council member, a nominated person that Council believes represents the interests of Namibian producers (e.g. publishers) and appointed by Council. Meetings will be held as often as required.

Former Council Members (2018-2021)

1. Ms Judy Grobler (Chairperson)

2. Mr Joseph Ndinoshiho (Deputy Chairperson)

3. Dr Chiku Mnubi-Mchombu

4. Dr John Shimaneni

5. Hon Petrus Kavhura

6. Hon Richard Hansen

7. Mr Frans Nghitila

8. Mr Gerard Vries

9. Mr Gottlieb Kaperu

10. Mr Mini Geingob

11. Ms Annegret Enengl

12. Ms Beauty Matongo

13. Ms Marilize Cohen

14. Ms Sabina Neumbo (Secretary)

15. Ms Sarah Negumbo

16. Mr Charles Mlambo

Previous Chairpersons

1st Chairperson: Hon E.G. Kaiyamo

2nd Chairperson: Dr Ellen Namhila

3rd Chairperson: Hon Veno Kauaria

4th Chairperson: Ms Judy Grobler