Libraries and technology in developing and developed countries

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. 

 Projects here in Canada

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.)

By having access to high-speed internet, the people in the community would have immediate connections to doctors, mental health workers, and to universities.  Children in the school system need to be on a level playing field all across Canada when it comes to online information access. 

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:

Write to Read BC

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.

Librarians without borders

“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.  

 Retrieved October 24th from https://youtu.be/3qPbky8XiQc

Library For All  

“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) program     http://www.eifl.net

"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

 

All of these organizations mentioned in this blog, allow librarians to bridge the digital divide and/or “knowledge” divide.  It is so important for these organizations to continue their work by offering mobile devices and internet access to developing communities, and I commend them for the work they have already accomplished. 

References:

Clear Sky Systems, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25^th, 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 27^th, 2017 from http://www.eifl.net

Hogan, S. (2014). Rotary's Partnership with the Write To Read Project. Retrieved on October 23^rd from https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50004/stories/rotary-s-partnership-with-the-write-to-read-project

Libraries without Borders. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24^th, 2017, from https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/

Library For All, (n.d.) Retrieved October 23^rd, 2017, from http://www.libraryforall.org

Write to Read BC. (n.d.) Retrieved October 25^th, 2017, from https://www.writetoreadbc.com