The Future is Digital and Developing


                                         The Future is Digital and Developing


I found this module to be an absolutely fascinating one. It was really special to realize that I am a part of a global community of teacher librarians knit together by a common belief in the power of literacy and the right of all to an education. 

A Guardian article I read pointed out that of the "320,000 public libraries worldwide, 230,000... are in developing countries" (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development). With 2/3 of libraries in the developing world, I realize just how limited and biased my scope of vision has been. I follow lots of teacher librarians on Twitter, but virtually all of them are in the U.S. or Canada. Consciously seeking to broaden my network of teacher librarians on social media is now a key goal of mine.

Moreover, the Guardian article points out that since libraries in the developing world are already established, financially supported, and viewed positively, they are incredibly powerful agents of change. In Romania, for example, over 400 public libraries helped 17,000 farmers access government portals to obtain agricultural subsidies that brought back over 20 million dollars into their communities (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development).

The Guardian article also led me to the Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL)website. This is an organization that works with libraries in developing countries. They highlighted a "Creatives for Change" project in Zambia that trained young creatives in technical skills in both business and the creative arts. A participant said of the program, "Through interaction with fellow artists at the library, I was linked to the Young Generation Radio Station where I now host a show every Saturday. I have used photography to enhance my visibility through social media, and I have become more popular in my community" (https://eifl.net/eifl-in-action/librarys-initiative-inspires-young-creatives-zambia). This has made me think about whether I can use the library space to host student musicians who want a space to play and record together.


 

Another interesting program that EIFL highlighted was in Bangladesh where they used a tiny three wheel mobile library (called W.O.W. or Wisdom on Wheels) with not only books but a free WIFI connection. The director of the program stated, “People from low income communities may have smartphones but they can’t afford the cost of regular or lengthy internet use. They do not need revolutionary technology to continue their learning. They just need a simple and accessible tool - and that is what we are providing with WoW: a library with a skilled librarian, books and e-books, and an internet hotspot for children to go online and study” (https://eifl.net/eifl-in-action/education-recovery-during-covid-19-innovation-award-1). Thinking about this case study has made me realize that I have neglected the online portal for our school library. I thought of it as something I could work on later - now I realize that I shouldn't be thinking of it as an add on, but rather as a fundamental part of the library. I was basing the hours of my work day around the way libraries used to work for me rather than how they should and can work for the youth of today.


    The future is not only digital, it is developing. This module has opened my eyes to my unconscious bias in terms of the teacher librarians I follow online, as well as to how I have dedicated too much of my working day to the brick and mortar concerns of the library over the virtual library and digital teaching tools. This has been a powerful week of learning.

 

                                                            Works Cited

 

“Education Recovery during COVID-19: Innovation Award.” EIFL, https://eifl.net/eifl-in-action/education-recovery-during-covid-19-innovation-award-1.

Hamilton, Stuart. “Stamping out Poverty as Well as Books? How Libraries Can Support Development.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 12 Mar. 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development.

“Library's Initiative Inspires Young Creatives in Zambia.” EIFL, EIFL, https://eifl.net/eifl-in-action/librarys-initiative-inspires-young-creatives-zambia.


 


 




 

 

Comments

  1. Unknown7 March 2022 at 14:43

    Hi Soren,
    I found the information that you shared about how Romanian libraries are helping local farmers fascinating. Sometimes we forget that the simple act of connecting users with the resources they need can have such a huge impact! I am curious to know if you have found any global teacher-librarians to connect with. I want to follow your lead and expand my connections too. Thank you for the idea! I admire how you connected this week's inquiry with your own library. I look forward to hearing about any progress you make with your online presence.
    -Keri

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erin7 March 2022 at 18:34

    Hi Soren,
    I enjoyed reading your post! I had never thought about the fact that the librarians and educators I follow are all based in North America either. This is a good point you bring up and definitely an inspiration to broaden my network as well. I loved reading about W.O.W.. What a great idea not only to bring books but to provide a Wifi hotspot for the community. Thanks for sharing!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim9 March 2022 at 11:28

    I really liked the innovative way the WoW libraries have brought internet access to the community. I think that alone is a much bigger issue than many of us realise, but I recall during the lockdown in 2020, reading articles about students sitting outside their school or public libraries so they could access the internet, and that was in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  4. D.McNee13 March 2022 at 20:39

    I appreciate the way that you connected your learning this week back to your own practice and library. Making a goal to actively expand your PLN to include librarians from a wide range of countries and contexts will ensure that you continue to expand your knowledge and understanding.

    ReplyDelete

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