Libraries in Developing Nations / Mobile Devices

I was drawn in to explore traditional and digital library projects in developing nations. Because I am old-school, I was looking at the BOOK BUS, a roving library delivering old-fashioned paper books to people in Zambia, Malawi and Ecuador. This organization has been operating for over ten years and has reached over 100,000 children. The goals are not only exposure to books and having the opportunity to read, but also to improve literacy and reading amongst children of these countries. 

"We also provide activities and arts and crafts materials which helps build on learning and storytelling skills, develop vocabulary and most importantly of all, builds on a love of reading and discovery."

They work with teachers and schools to help bring the appropriate materials to the children. World-renowned illustrator and author Sir Quentin Blake is the major patron. I love books and I love to hold a book and feel the weight in my hands. This tangible throwback in the midst of a digital revolution makes me feel warm and nostalgic. 


        
                                                                   A Book Bus storytelling session                                                                   

In order to explore the world of digital libraries, I came across several agencies working to expand literacy to developing countries. One such organization with a digital platform is Library For All, who strives to  increase literacy and subsequently move people out of poverty. 

"Studies show that if all students in low-income countries had basic reading skills by the time they finished primary school, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty."

They do not provide hardware, but a cloud-based ebook library with access for those in low bandwidth environments. They strive to have relevant and multi-language materials for each region they work with. 

Check out this feature article;
BOOKS AS A HUMAN RIGHT: MEET THE STARTUP BUILDING A CLOUD-BASED LIBRARY FOR STUDENTS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD


Image Credit: Amanda Truxillo, Nate Johnson and Martiza Chateau

These organizations and others like them give hope and possibility to reaching some of the most remote and impoverished nations. With creativity, local connections and enough time and money, the world of reading and literacy can have a global reach.

Works Cited

 The Book Bus, thebookbus.org/.


Entis, Laura. “Books as a Human Right: Meet the Startup Building a Cloud-Based Library for Students in the Developing World.” Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur, 16 June 2015, www.entrepreneur.com/article/247357.

 Library For All, www.libraryforall.org/our-library/.