African nations can only hope to make drastic changes in their societies through education of their young and, just as importantly, by providing library services through extension programs to those adults, however non literate, that comprise the producers and decision makers in the present social structure. These people need functional information for survival; for the judicious use of civic and political rights; for their social, cultural, and religious activities; and for educational information to adapt to social and cultural change. It should be noted that all developed nations at one time or another have used libraries to extend literacy and education to their illiterate populations; Africa can hardly afford to do otherwise. (RAA)