Inquiry Blog Post 4 - Library Projects in Developing Nations

    In our schools, we try to make our libraries hubs of information, literacy, and learning. Organizations and projects throughout the world seek to extend this concept to individuals in developing nations to provide access to literacy and ICT resources. While exploring library projects in developing nations, I learned about many amazing organizations who seek to put books into the hands of children to help them access literature and develop their literacy skills.

• Room to Read seeks to create “a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality” (Room to Read About Us, n.d.) by providing books and literacy programming to children in 15 countries including Grenada, Vietnam, Rwanda, India and, Indonesia (Room to Read Impact and Reach, n.d.). 
• Charmaghz is an organization that provides mobile libraries for children in Afghanistan. They have 5 mobile libraries which each contain 400 books and host 1000 visitors each day (Charmaghz Mobile Libraries, n.d.). 
• The Books for Africa Library Project is another example of an organization that seeks to bring libraries and books to individuals. Since 1997, Books for Africa Library Project “has shipped over 350,000 books to Ghana, and set up 64 libraries in rural areas” (Books for Africa Library Project Home, n.d.). 

    These programs, among the many other organizations that seek to provide children and adults in developing nations with libraries and books, are incredibly important in helping to reduce barriers to information and education and to reduce gender inequality. However, Miller and Bass (2019) discuss how literacy in a digital world must include digital literacy skills: “what it means to be literate in the digital age must include an understanding of how to utilize technology in meaningful ways and be familiar with the various available tools” (p. 76). Global Libraries emphasizes the importance of libraries providing access to technology to rural and underprivileged communities stating, “The world’s 320,000 public libraries are uniquely positioned to offer access to information and technology, especially to people in rural and poor communities, because they are safe and trusted places with trained staff, existing infrastructure, and ongoing financial support” (Global Libraries, n.d.) and “Equality of opportunity in the digital age requires that all individuals have access to online information and digital tools along with the skills to create content, assess and use information, and participate fully in a digital world” (Global Libraries, n.d.). One organization that I learned about, Libraries Without Borders, places a focus on providing access to ICT and education on ICT skills to developing nations.

    Libraries Without Borders seeks to “bring tools to reduce inequality of access to information and knowledge” in more than 50 countries around the world (Libraries Without Borders About Us, n.d.). LWB designed and distributes their Idea Box to communities in need. “The Ideas Box is highly-durable, easy to set-up and energy-independent” (Ideas Box, 2021) and it contains “access to a satellite internet connection, digital server, a power generator, 25 tablets and laptops, 6 HD cameras, 1 large HD screen, board games, arts and crafts materials, hardcover and paperback books, and a stage for music and theatre” (Ideas Box, 2021). The Ideas Box is a perfect example of how to provide mobile devices to individuals in developing nations to allow equitable access to the internet and the world of information it offers. Another way that LWB supports access to mobile technologies is through the distribution of Koombooks, a device that can create a wifi hotspot for up to 20 users and provides “access thousands of educational, cultural and training resources” (Libraries Without Borders, n.d.). The Koombook can help reduce the barrier of having a lack of access to reliable internet. LWB has used Koombooks in efforts to reduce human trafficking in Batase village in Nepal. The village did not have access to the internet or information and the Koombook allowed them to view videos that educated residents and brought awareness to the issue of human trafficking (Frontières, 2019). 

Picture: Library Without Borders Idea Box https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/ideasbox/ 

    The IFLA’s document Access and Opportunity for All outlines several projects that demonstrate how libraries can provide access to resources and supports that contribute toward the UN’s 17 goals Sustainable Development Goals. For example, it references the National Library of Uganda’s “ICT training program designed for female farmers, providing access in local languages to weather forecasts, crop prices, and support to set up online markets. This programme increases the economic well-being of women through technology skills” (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2016, p. 9) as a way to work toward the goal of achieving gender equality. Access and Opportunity for All also references the e-Library Nenasala Programme in Sri Lanka that seeks to “increase digital literacy and access to technology among the nation’s poorest residents, often living in remote rural areas” (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2016, p. 5). This includes offering “instruction in basic computer skills, guidance on accessing information through the Internet, and a wide variety of locally relevant knowledge” (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2016, p. 5). As this programming is available to everyone, it can contribute toward removing barriers, reducing poverty and opening up opportunities for everyone to develop digital literacy skills and participate in our increasingly digital world. 

    As I was learning about all of these programs, projects, and initiatives I was inspired by the change that can be driven by libraries. Providing access not only to physical books, but also to ICT can be transformational in the life of children and adults in developing nations. These international library programs are excellent examples of how libraries can contribute toward literacy access and information equity and serve as a reminder that libraries within local communities in Canada also can help reduce inequities locally. 

Resources

Books for Africa Library Project Home. (n.d.). Books For Africa Library Project. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://forafricalibrary.org/

Charmaghz mobile libraries. (n.d.). Charmaghz. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://charmaghz.org/mobilelibraries/

Frontières, B. S. (2019, March 6). In Nepal, a Library Fights Against Human Trafficking. Libraries Without Borders. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/2019/03/06/in-nepal-a-library-fights-against-human-trafficking/

Global Libraries. (n.d.). Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.gatesfoundation.org/our-work/programs/global-development/global-libraries

Ideas Box. (2021, November 18). Libraries Without Borders. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/ideasbox/

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2016, June). Access and opportunity for all. https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/243

Libraries Without Borders. (n.d.). KoomBook. Vision PDF. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://visionpdf.com/the-koombook.html

Libraries Without Borders About Us. (2021, November 23). Libraries Without Borders. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/about-us/

Miller, S., & Bass, W. (2019). Leading from the Library: Help your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age. International Society for Technology in Education.

Room to Read About Us. (n.d.). Room to Read. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.roomtoread.org/about-us/

Room to Read Impact and Reach. (n.d.). Room to Read. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.roomtoread.org/impact-and-reach/#