This article will give some insight into problems and advantages of computerized literature searches for the African scholar. I should point out that there are two types of databases, the reference databases which point users to another source, i.e., give the user bibliographic information. Those are the ones I will deal with here. The source databases contain original information or manipulated statistics prepared for specific purposes. I intend to point out areas where a computerized literature search is useful, and areas where there are pitfalls. My experience is that graduate students rarely are familiar with the bibliographic or data sources available to them.

Two different methodologies have been described in the professional literature oh determining the value of certain databases.

In 1970, the editorial of the South African Archives Journal - mouthpiece of the Southern African Society of Archivists, expressed the view that previous attempts towards a national register of manuscripts had not materialised. It noted however, that the South African Government Archives Service was considering this undertaking, and suggested that whenever this register came about, in whatever form, the “key requirement should remain its suitability for complete publication”.

In 1977 the first initiative towards the register came from the Bibliographical Committee of the South African Library Society, when it requested the South African Library to draw up a register of manuscripts and other material in South African libraries. Circulars were sent out to prospective participants and the South African Library produced a guide to its own collection in Cape Town.

The Illustrations Section of the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) is administered by the library, which, in addition to being a legal depository, is Zimbabwe’s national reference library. It collects printed and audiovisual materials, relating to this country, both published and unpublished, for permanent preservation. The photographic collection originated as a group of 343 prints and negatives illustrating the country’s history from 1561 to 1924 and collected for an exhibition in 1936, and it has grown into a classified and indexed collection of nearly 23 000 negatives and approximately 26 000 photographs. There is also a number of other large deposits, as yet unprocessed, which will be referred to later. The section strives to reach the twin goals of preserving a photographic record of every aspect of life in this country and of providing a service to members of the public.