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Report on the CAMP-Title VI Joint Acquisitions Project
in Senegal, West Africa
(1995-2003)

Dr. Joseph S. Caruso
African Studies Librarian
Columbia University
caruso@columbia.edu

July 2003

Summary of Visit to Dakar & Saint Louis, Sénégal, July 1995

• Introduction
  
  As a representative of Title VI National Resource Centers for African Studies and the Cooperative Africana Microform Project (CAMP), Dr. Joseph S. Caruso (African Studies Librarian, Columbia University) travelled to Senegal to carry out a reconnaissance trip in July 1995. The primary goal was to assess the potential for cooperative preservation and acquisition projects. Dr. Caruso toured various archives and research libraries in Dakar and Saint Louis. He met with archivists, library directors, other librarians, film technicians, researchers, and others.
  
  The trip resulted in the launching of a cooperative microfilming project now under way in Dakar at the National Archives of Senegal, with the financial support of the Cooperative Africana Microform Project (CAMP) and Title VI National Resource Centers for African Studies. The material being filmed is from a collection of French colonial court records at the National Archives. (See April 1996 update for more detail.)
  
  For the first time, CAMP (of The Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, Illinois) and other major American libraries are working together with a major African institution in Francophone West Africa to preserve materials on microfilm for historians in Africa and North America. Microfilms from the project will be made available to all CAMP members through interlibrary loan and to readers at the National Archives of Senegal, the premier archival institution in the region.
  
  Acknowledgement of support for this project must include: Dr. Saliou Mbaye (Director of the National Archives of Senegal) ; The Staff of the National Archives of Senegal ; Dr. Nancy J. Schmidt (Africana Librarian, Indiana University), who has served as the official coordinator for the project, 1994-1997 ; the late Dr. John Bruce Howell (International Studies Bibliographer, University of Iowa and CAMP Chair) ; Marlys Rudeen (Microform Projects Coordinator, CAMP) ; Phyllis Bischof (Africana Bibliographer, University of California, Berkeley), who did much of the early groundwork prior to the 1995 trip ; Denis Galvan (Historian), who compiled and shared with Africana librarians his own detailed catalog of the collection now being filmed ; the institutional members of CAMP ; and, the Title VI National Resource Centers for African Studies.
  
  
• Dakar
  
  
  1. Archives Nationales du Sénégal / National Archives of Senegal
     
     A meeting was held with Dr. Saliou Mbaye, Directeur des Archives Nationales du Sénégal. Dr. Mbaye graciously allowed the discussion to take place in English. Dr. Mbaye stated a strong interest in any cooperative venture with CAMP. He also stated that the film lab of the Archives was in operation. He agreed to provide a full microfilm sample for testing. Following the meeting, a tour was conducted of the facilities with Mr. Faly Faty, Conservateur d'archives, and one film technician. Discussion on the tour was in French.
     
     The National Archives have recently refurbished their film lab. They have two labs: one in the main building; another in the annex. They have one functioning camera, another camera in need of repair, and one functioning developer---with another developer under repair as of July 1995 (Note: supply parts had only just arrived at time of visit; assurances were given that the parts were appropriate and would be fitted.).
     
     After two years of almost no activity, the film lab was in operation. Among other projects, they were beginning to film: Justice indigène, 1838-1954: sous série 6M. This collection consists of colonial court records, previously identified by Dennis Galvan (historian) and Phyllis Bischof (Africana Bibliographer, University of California-Berkeley). The archives have also installed a new, functioning air conditioner in their microfilm stacks.
     
     Two weeks later, a full reel of microfilm was supplied as a sample...free of charge. The film was later taken back to Columbia University for examination. A methylene blue test and various bibliographic tests were carried out in late July and early August 1995. Copies of the results will be made available to participants at the November 1995 meeting of CAMP.
     
     The overall assessment of the sample: a passing grade. Some recommendations on bibliographic targets and lighting adjustments are required, however. With regard to the latter, it is obvious that the Archives film lab needs a densitometer and an adjustable light meter for their camera.
     
     
  2. Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)
     
     A meeting was held with Dr. Henri Sène, Directeur de la Bibliothèque, Université Cheikh Anta Diop. Discussion was in French and some English. Dr. Sène expressed interest in cooperative efforts and great concern over the deteriorating condition of their collection. However, the University library has no preservation equipment of any kind. Even though efforts are under way to begin construction of a new facility, there is no indication at present of a major preservation project involving microfilming at the University. Dr. Sène was later very helpful in arranging for meetings with archivists and librarians in Saint Louis.
     
     NOTE: In 1997-1998, UCAD mounted its own web site at: http://www.ucad.sn/
     
     
  3. Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire -- Cheikh Anta Diop (IFAN-CAD)
     
     A meeting was held with Abdoulaye Bara Diop, then Directeur de l'IFAN-CAD; Theodore Ndiaye, Responsable du Service de la Documentation; and Madame Khady Toure, Service audiovisuel. Discussion and tours of the facility were all in French.
     
     Mr. Ndiaye was the most helpful and enthusiastic. He expressed very strong interest in cooperative preservation projects. However, IFAN has no microfilming equipment of any kind and are not currently having any of their library holdings filmed elsewhere. (A microfilming platform was observed on the floor accumulating dust in the Audio-visual department.) Mr. Ndiaye does have a microfiche reader in his office.
     
     Mr. Ndiaye kindly agreed to produce a short list of newspaper titles held in the IFAN library which --in his estimation--- were in dire need of filming. One week after the first meeting, Mr. Ndiaye supplied the list. The list will be made available to all participants of the project. In late July, a check in RLIN and OCLC revealed that most of these titles are already held by CAMP or participant members. Another list of serials ---that is, journal titles, could be requested from Mr. Ndiaye. In fact, Mr. Ndiaye expressed a greater interest in preserving their journals and books.
     
     The possibility exists at some future date for cooperation between the National Archives and IFAN in the area of preservation. See the appendix for a short priority list of needs.
     
     A separate visit to the publications office at IFAN-CAD was made. Inquiries in French only. With regard to recent publications, except for one title, all new serial issues were still at the printer or forthcoming (later in 1995).
     - Notes africaines. (no. 191, juillet 1994 is the most recent)
     - Bulletin de l'IFAN, series A: Sciences naturelles, 1994. (only a sample was available for viewing)
     - Bulletin de l'IFAN, series B: Sciences humaines, 1994. (at the press)
     - One new book (available through Paris vendors):
     La ville à guichets fermés? Itinéraires, reseaux et insertion urbaine. (Dakar ; Paris : Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire Cheikh Anta Diop / ORSTOM, 1995).
     
     
     Note: In 2004, IFAN-CAD web site was taken off-line. General information about IFAN-CAD is available via the web site of L'Université Cheikh Anta Diop at: http://www.ucad.sn/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=169
     
     
  4. Conseil pour le développement de la recherche en sciences sociales en Afrique / Council for the Development of Economic and Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA)
     
     A meeting was held with Mr. Abou Moussa Ndongo, who is one of 3 professional document specialists at the Council. Discussion and tour of their small library was in English and some French. CODESRIA is a multi-lingual setting.
     
     The small library and reading areas are all in air conditioned rooms and new shelving. Among the holdings are dissertations, theses, and memoires based on research sponsored by CODESRIA. These works are all by African authors and were completed at various universities around the world...a majority of them in West Africa. In English and French. A copy of the current list on floppy disk was obtained. Copies of the list of some 300+ titles will be made available to participants. (On paper or on 3.5 floppy disk/ WordPerfect 5.1 version.) The council library also has current newspapers, but NO large backlog of newspapers.
     
     Mr. Ndongo expressed great enthusiasm about the idea of electronic scanning. The dissertations, for example, might be a prime target for scanning in a CAMP and Title VI project at some future date. The Council library does have at least three computers. At least one of them has a CD drive and is in use. There is plenty of computer expertise at the council.
     
     A separate visit to the publication office was also made. English or French is acceptable. Many of the publications of CODESRIA are available from African Books Collective (ABC) or Editions Karthala. According to Charles Bèye, the Working Papers series and especially the older titles, are out of stock indefinitely. Reprints of these titles are being produced in a limited number to fill already received orders from ABC, however. Papers from the Symposium of the 8th General Assembly of CODESRIA were not available---except for a few photocopies/upon special request in person/for a limited time....and not for sale. Many of these papers were in draft form. A few photocopied papers were obtained.
     See also: CODESRIA Home Page
     
     
  5. United States Information Service (USIS), Dakar
     
     A meeting was held with Mr. Steven Pike, then acting director of USIS in Dakar. Mr. Pike expressed interest in maintaining contact with any CAMP/Title VI project in Dakar. Mr. Pike kindly offered the names and current addresses of USIS representatives in Conakry, Guinea and Bamako, Mali.
     
     
  6. West African Research Center / West African Research Association, Dakar
     
     A meeting was held with Dr. Eileen Julien, out-going director of WARC. Dr. Julien expressed interest in cooperative preservation projects. The possibility of the use of office space for a future CAMP microfilming project was discussed. Access and permission would obviously have to be obtained at the appropriate time.
     
     
• Saint Louis
  
  
  1. Centre de Recherche et de Documentation du Sénégal (CRDS)
     
     A meeting was held with Abdoul Hadir Aidara, Directeur du CRDS. Discussion and tour of the library and archives were in French only.
     
     Mr. Aidara expressed strong interest in the idea of cooperative projects and has recent experience in gaining foreign financial support. Mr. Aidara provided a tour of the entire facility, which included viewing a project partly funded by the Social Science Research Council involving the preservation, documentation, and exhibition of postcards and photographs.
     
     The center is the former colonial IFAN library, begun in the 19th century. The current building was constructed in the 1950s. In addition to the library and archives, there is a newly refurbished museum.
     
     Many of the colonial court records ---of interest to CAMP and described by Dennis Galvin and Phyllis Bischof in previous reports/proposals to CAMP--- are stored in a cool and dry vault. This material could be organized and filmed by the National Archives in Dakar at a later date------following the successful completion of a pilot project with the Archives. However, much of the library holdings are also in dire need of some preservation ---especially books dating back to the 19th century. There was NOT a large newspaper collection.
     
     
  2. Université de Saint Louis
     
     A meeting was held with Mamadou L. Ndoye, Directeur de la Bibliothèque de l'Université de Saint-Louis. Discussion and tour of the library was entirely in French.
     
     The University is only a few years old. There are no microfilming or major preservation projects currently under way. In fact, there appears to be no coordination between CRDS and the university library even though many university students use the CRDS library for research. There is interest in rectifying this situation in the future. Mr. Ndoye is a young and enthusiastic director.
     
     The University does publish an annual, multi-disciplinary title, Université, recherche et développement. Nos. 1 (1992) and 2 (1993) are available upon request. No. 1 was not available at the time. No. 2 was offered --free of charge. Columbia University is in the process of reviving an exchange agreement to obtain this journal on a regular basis.
     
     

  ---

• APPENDIX:
  
  
  • Priority Preservation at IFAN - UCAD, July 1995
    
    A short list of newspapers and other serials in NEED of immediate preservation attention was obtained from IFAN (l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire à l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop):
    
    **Asterisks indicate a title that has yet to be found in RLIN, OCLC, or any major library catalog.
    
    
    -- Annuaire et mémoires du comité d'études historiques et scientifiques de l'Afrique Occidentale française. 1916.
    -- Bulletin du Comité d'études historiques et scientifiques de l'Afrique Occidentale française. 1918-1938.
    -- Paris - Dakar. 1933-1961.
    -- Dakar - Matin. 1961.
    -- Journal officiel de l'AOF. 1954-1959.
    ** Le Courrier du Sénégal. 1902-?
    ** Dakar Jeune. 1942-1943.
    -- Bulletin d'information de l'Afrique Occidentale française. 1949-1952.
    -- Le Moniteur africain du commerce et l'industrie. 1961.
    -- Le Monde noir. 1962.
    -- Notes africaines. 1961-
    **Réalités africaines. 1954-1955.
    **Reveil islamique. 1953-1962.
    **La Revue africaine artistique et littéraire. 1924.
    ??Le Trait d'union. 1954.
    **AOF. 1935-1936.
    **Condition humaine. 1948-1956.
    
    
    
  • Archives Nationales du Sénégal, September 1995 Update
    
    In late September 1995, Dr. Mbaye visited Columbia University for one day. Dr. Caruso conferred with him on the needs of the Archives film lab--- ie. a densitometer and a light meter. Further negotiations were needed to determine an agreeable cost for filming part or all of the collection entitled: Justice indigène, sous série 6M. This collection was the best candidate for a "pilot project" in Senegal. Materials from Saint Louis, Kaolack, etc.---as described by Galvin and Bischof--- are earmarked for the future.
    
    
  • April 1996 Update:
    
    As early as October 1995, a special collection ready to be filmed had been identified at the National Archives, "Justice indigène, 1838-1954: sous-série 6M". The National Archives estimated the size of the collection at 160,000 pages. Since then, negotiations continued over the cost of filming. By late March 1996, a portion of this collection was selected for filming as part of a "pilot project" and an agreement was finally reached on the price per page.
    
    A full inventory of the entire collection has subsequently been published:
    Archives du Senegal. Répertoire numérique sous série 6M: Justice indigène (Sénégal) 1838-1954. Archiviste responsable, Awa Cisse Ba. (Dakar: Direction des Archives du Sénégal, 1996)
    
    
    Note: All financial information is excluded from this Internet document. Expenditures are reported to the Title VI African Studies Center directors and Title VI Africana librarians. Institutional members of CAMP also have access to a record of the project's expenditures in the CAMP bi-annual budget report.
    
    In April 1996, CAMP agreed to fund the purchase of a densitometer and a light meter to be used on site at the National Archives of Senegal for this project. CAMP also agreed to fund shipping costs of the equipment. The Title VI centers agreed to fund the cost of filming itself.
    
    The selected dossiers are entitled: "Organisation judiciare--administration, 1880-1945" and "Pièces périodiques, 1904-1951". They consist of administrative reports on divisional courts ("tribunaux des cercles") and sub-divisional courts; reports on judgements; statistics of judgements; general correspondence; etc. The National Archives estimates this portion as: 293 boxes and approximately 120,000 pages.
    
    
  • Report of Trip to Senegal, April 1997.