By Sanna camara

The Director General of the Gambia National Library Service Authority (GNLSA), Mr. Bakary Sanyang, has revealed ongoing and future plans to modernize library services, expand access to information, and strengthen partnerships with educational institutions across the region.

Sanyang made this revelation during a study visit of officials and students, comprising librarians, archivists, and documentalists from the University of Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) Dakar, Senegal to the library’ s headquarters in Banjul on July 1^st, 2026.

The educational visit formed part of the students’ academic programme aimed at exposing them to the operations of a national library; strengthening their academic and professional competences, ensuring collaboration, networking, and promoting knowledge sharing between the two institutions.

From gaining practical knowledge of library operations to understanding the diverse services offered at the GNLSA, the visit provided students an opportunity to explore book collections and appreciating the important role of a national library in supporting education, promoting research and innovation, as well as preserving the country’s documentary heritage for national development.

The visit culminated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gambia National Library Service Authority (GNLSA) and University of Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). The agreement marked the beginning of a formal partnership aimed at promoting academic cooperation, professional development, knowledge exchange, research collaboration, staff and student exchanges, and capacity building in the field of Library and Information Science.

“The MoU is apt in GNLSA’s quest to improve and bridge capacity gaps and building on knowledge through continuous professional development whilst ensuring joint implementation of research projects for both institutions,” Mr Sanyang said.

The Head of the UCAD delegation, Professor Dieyi Diouf, expressed delight and gratitude on the reception accorded to her and the delegation. She called for stronger collaboration and partnership between the two sister institutions, urging the students to network for future collaboration.

During the tour, the visitors were exposed to practical operations of each section of the library. They examined library collections and equipment, and interacted directly with the collections and other materials, as well as staff members; asked questions, observe work procedures, and relate the theoretical knowledge acquired from discussions to real-life professional practice. Thus, greatly enhancing their understanding of library operations and information service delivery.