Libraries build up literacy, build up
community, transform lives, and improve quality of life in all communities. In order to achieve these goals, it is imperative that libraries have access to quality literature
both in print and in digital format. I also feel it is extremely important that
libraries (in both developed and developing countries) have access to
mobile devices (iPads, cell phones, laptops, desktop computers etc.), and
online databases and information.
The task this week
was to explore and learn about library projects in developing nations, but what
about in our own backyard? Canada is truly an amazing country, but we cannot
ignore the fact that many northern and remote communities also lack access to
adequate high-speed internet and information databases. I remember watching a CTV news program
back in April 2017 about bridging the digital divide in Northern
Manitoba. The plan was to
connect youth by giving them access to high speed internet. The community felt
that it was time to do something for youth, as there were six suicides alone in
that community within a year. (Click here for
the clip.)
One company that is
helping to bridge this gap is, Clear Sky Connections. Clear
Sky Connections provides affordable high-speed internet access to remote
communities that do not have access through regular providers such as TELUS or
Shaw. While this is not a
“library project” per say, it does provide communities with access to
information, which in turn can help communities improve their quality of life.
While looking further
into the situation here in Canada, I found one local organization here in BC
that is helping to bring libraries to remote communities in British Columbia.
Here is their story:
The Write to Read Project began in 2007 with two
Rotarians, Bob Blacker and Steven Point, who was at that time BC's Lieutenant
Governor (Hogan, S. 2014). Steven knew that the literacy rates amongst
first nations were significantly lower than the Canadian average, and set out
to do something about it. The Rotary Club and Write to Read program
joined forces. This initiative has already installed 14 libraries in
remote communities in BC, 2 libraries are projected to be installed in 2017,
and 5 are in the design phase. Here are a few short videos taken from
their website that highlight the project.
Retrieved on October 25th from https://youtu.be/xHDpSE-Ml3E
Retrieved October 25th from https://youtu.be/EKiWlY69qXs
Retrieved October 25th from https://youtu.be/-kT501NEMe4
Projects
in Developing countries
As I began to
research projects that provide support to developing nations and their
libraries, I felt overwhelmed by the number of organizations that are already
helping to bridge that digital divide overseas. The following are organizations that
are creating literacy opportunities in developing nations.
For this blog, I will
only highlight a few. I have included each of their mission statements, as well
as a few videos that highlight their project. From the videos alone, you can
see just how important it is for these communities to have access to mobile
devices within their libraries, as it can improve the quality of life for so
many.
“Libraries Without Borders
(LWB) works to ensure that
regardless of their circumstances, people throughout the world can live with
dignity and the opportunity to thrive through access to information, education
and culture”
Here is a video
explaining their Ideas Box.
“Library For All is a nonprofit organization that has
built a digital library to deliver quality educational materials in developing
countries.”
In this video, founder
Rebecca McDonald speaks about why she founded Library For All.
Retrieved October 23rd from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zur6HxsoCuk
"EIFL (Electronic information for Libraries) works with
libraries to enable access to knowledge for education, learning, research and
sustainable community development. Our vision is a world in which all people
have the knowledge they need to achieve their full potential."
In the first video, Why empowering public libraries
with technology is so important (February,
2014) it talks about how
installing internet and computers in 5 libraries in rural Uganda communities
has transformed the lives of many farmers in the community.
Retrieved October 25th from https://youtu.be/E5TIlW70Tmk
The second video, Public library changes lives of
children in Kibera (August,
2014), highlights the importance of having mobile devices, and how it impacts
the lives of children in developing communities.
Retrieved October 25tth fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-BrdWCuF0
References:
Clear Sky Systems, Inc.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 25th, 2017 from https://csky.net/support/
CTV News. (2017, April 11). Plans to bring high-speed internet to remote First Nations with 3,600 km
cable[Press release]. Retrieved from Plans to bring
high-speed internet to remote First Nations with 3,600 km cable
EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) program. (n.d.) Retrieved
October 27th, 2017 from http://www.eifl.net
Hogan, S. (2014). Rotary's
Partnership with the Write To Read Project. Retrieved on October 23rd
from https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50004/stories/rotary-s-partnership-with-the-write-to-read-project
Libraries without Borders. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 24th, 2017, from
https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/
Library
For All, (n.d.)
Retrieved October 23rd, 2017, from http://www.libraryforall.org
Write to
Read BC. (n.d.) Retrieved October 25th, 2017, from https://www.writetoreadbc.com
