World Libraries

“Empowerment of people through Media and information Literacy is an important prerequisite for fostering equitable access to information and knowledge and promoting free, independent and pluralistic media and information systems” (UNESCO)

Through the use of technology, libraries in developing nations have the possibility of offering a learning opportunity for many that would have otherwise been unattainable.    

In Africa for instance, 10M children drop out of primary school (UNESCO). The answer may lie with mobile devices as they are becoming increasing popular.  This is due in part to the fact these devices are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of technology.   One huge benefit is that they provide an opportunity for access to information anywhere and anytime.  This could include online courses, current literature and tutoring for instance. 
Mobile devices could also provide access to digital libraries in communities with limited access to printed books. One area that would need addressing is broadband.  Developing nations need access to broadband as it opens up more opportunities for teaching and learning such as video streaming, and easy downloading of audio-visual material.
More attention in both developed and developing countries needs to be focused on mobile users and their needs.  Connecting them with good books, authors and other readers for example. 

Some of the library projects in Africa I found were:

 •  Room to Read:  has two areas of focus: one being to support literacy and the other gender equality.  They have established 15 000 new school libraries since 2000 with locally relevant books.  The books are typically categorized by reading level.  Here is video outlining the program:

•  Worldreader: project that provides e-readers to schools in Africa

•  Read and Prosper:  project that also provides e-readers to students and is developing solar panel systems to recharge the devices

•  Yoza Cellphone Stories- offers downloads of stories and novels.  Interactive as students can leave comments. 

•  MXit- largest social network in Africa

•  OLPC (one laptop per child):  project that distributes low-cost computers to students in developing countries

•  The Everywhere Library- telecommunications company MTN Group and Metropolitan Republic Group offered access to books through mobile phones in Uganda.  They entered a code to get full text of the book on the phone. 

Mobile phones in the library provide an opportunity to learn globally; however I believe their needs to be strict guidelines.   Teachers need to stress their purpose in the library:  learning. With a fixed schedule in mind, a good way to start might be a lesson with QR codes (bridging the gap between the virtual and physical world) like a scavenger hunt for instance.  Click here for more info on QR codes.  Here is an example of a QR code for our district's library catalogue.  

I teach elementary school but I can see high students preferring to use their own cellphones as oppose to the library computers due to familiarity with use. They might be more inclined to visit the library as well if they can use a mobile device there.  Permitting mobile phones in the library also helps to create a relaxed and low-key atmosphere.

References:

BBC Future. (2012). The future of education in Africa is mobile. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120823-what-africa-can-learn-from-phones [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].

Education.alberta.ca. (2014). Alberta education - research and publications. [online] Retrieved from: http://education.alberta.ca/admin/technology/research.aspx [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].

Roopanarine, L. (2012). Mobile phone boom in developing world could boost e-learning. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2012/may/30/mobile-phone-developing-world-elearning [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].

Steele, C. (2012). How the mobile phone is evolving in developing countries. PC.

YouTube.(2012). Room to read. [online]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRdK-OLTxfc