Improving Libraries in Africa

A Never Failing Spring in the Desert

According to Andrew Carnegie "A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people It is a never failing spring in the desert" (Zhou, 2015). Carnegie is known for using his wealth to build libraries throughout the United States. Carnegie's Libraries are known for finding innovative ways to serve the community. One library in Iowa loans out cake pans because not everyone has the right size or shape at their house (Stamberg, 2015). Libraries in developing nations need innovative ideas to provide the communities with access to resources and to encourage more people to utilize the library by providing services that will benefit the community.

Challenges African Public Libraries Face

A study conducted by Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) (2014) revealed that library users in 6 African countries described their public libraries as being"...small with limited space and are resource constrained. Most lack technology related facilities and in some cases relevant books to meet the needs of users" (‘Perceptions of public libraries in Africa’, p. 9). In the graph below, non-users were surveyed as to what would motivate them to start using the public library:

(EIFL, ‘Perceptions of public libraries in Africa’, p. 23)

While access to resources (both print and digital) and location of the library top the list, there are several barriers that prevent libraries from solving these problems. These constraints include lack of funding, not having a proper classification system for resources, and not having a librarian, or having one who lacks proper technological skills. According to another EIFL study (2015), in order to encourage innovation in the library, these are three requirements that need to be met:

 ('EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme', 2015, p. 14)

More innovation is necessary to provide developing nations in Africa and around the world with better equipped libraries to meet the needs of their communities.To help these libraries overcome the constraints they face, people and organizations from around the world donate unused or out-of-date books. While book contributions help, developing nations cannot rely on weeded library books to provide the necessary resources needed to make the library relevant. As well, this also does not provide the support, and infrastructure needed to make the library relevant to the community.

There are several organizations that are working towards innovating libraries in Africa and around the world. One of these organizations, Librarians Without Borders, was established in Canada in 2005 and has partnered with organizations around the world to make improvements to libraries in developing nations through literacy projects.

Literacy Projects Supported By Librarians Without Borders

The Ideas Box

The Ideas Box is a project sponsored by Librarians Without Borders who partnered with United Nations Refugee Agency to provide developing nations such as Ghana with a simple library kit that can be set up in under 20 minutes to create a fully functional mobile library. Each box contains a satellite internet connection, multiple devices including tablets, laptops, cameras, and e-readers, along with offline learning resources, board games, arts and crafts, and various other resources. Eve Saumier, Head of Communication of Librarians without Boarders, stated in an interview with National Geographic regarding the Ideas Box supplies that “One device alone can provide the service and content equivalent of a small town library, or up to 5,000 users. That’s only several dollars per user...Several dollars per user to connect a soul with life-changing education, literature, ideas, communication, theatre and more via technology..."  (Banks, 2014). Below is an image of what an Ideas Box would look like once it was set up.

(Kowalczyk, 2015)

Librii

Librii is a company founded by David Dewane which plans to provide African communities with "an e-hub made from a modified shipping container that contains high-speed computers along with other digital tools and an agora that serves as a public plaza equipped with WiFi" (Zhou, 2015). Librii argues that while cell phones are helpful for looking up information quickly, an infrastructure of stronger computers is required to improve information access to African communities. The video below explains a brief overview of Librii.

(Dewane, 2015)

References

Banks, K. (2014). Thinking outside the box brings cinema and community libraries to refugees. National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Retrieved 28 October 2015, from http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/02 /thinking-outside-the-box-brings-cinema-and-community-libraries-to-refugees/

Dewane, R. (2013). Librii Overview. YouTube. Retrieved 28 October 2015 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhWd5jx4QV4

EIFL. (2014).Perceptions of public libraries in Africa. Retrieved 30 October 2015, from http://www.eifl.net/system/files/ resources/201408/perceptions_of_public_libraries_in_africa_-_full_report_hi.pdf

EIFL. (2015). EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme: Evaluation of the takeup of PLIP innovation by other libraries. What sparks innovation in the public library sector? Retrieved 27 October 2015, from http://www.eifl.net/system/files/resources/201506/eifl_take-up_study_may_2015.pdf

Kowalczyk, P. (2015). A Revolutionary Mobile Library Centre. Retrieved 27 October 2015 from http://ebookfriendly.com/mobile-library-center-philip-starck-video/

Stamberg, S. (2013). How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune Into a Library Legacy. Retrieved 27 October 2015 from http://www.npr.org/2013/08/01/207272849/how-andrew-carnegie-turned-his-fortune-into-a-library-legacy

Zhou, Li. (2015). Building Libraries Along Fibre-Optic Lines in Sub-Saharan Africa. Retrieved 27 October 2015 from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/building-libraries-along-fiber-optic-lines-in-sub-saharan-africa-180954192/?no-ist