Tag Archives: libraries

New report: How public libraries contribute towards reaching the Millenium Development Goals

The Beyond Access initiative has just published a new report showing how libraries are helping to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

Libraries powering development: How public libraries contribute towards reaching the Millenium Development Goals

Featuring stories from about twenty different libraries around the world, the report emphasizes the role that libraries are taking in powering development.

Here are a few examples:

* In Guatemala, the Chiche Community Library offers an early childhood literacy and nutrition class to teach new parents child care and nutrition.

* In Zambia, open access Lubuto public libraries reach large numbers of the country’s street children, orphans and other vulnerable children who are largely not enrolled in school.

* In Kenya, the Kenya National Library Service is helping to prevent deaths during pregnancy, birth or unsafe abortions by providing healthcare providers with knowledge on how to correctly apply simple, inexpensive interventions.

* In Botswana, the Ramotswa Public Library in southeastern Botswana is playing an active role in reducing the impact HIV/AIDS has in the community by partnering with the District HIV/AIDS committee on a “Lifeline Project” to help educate young people, ages 14-30, about important health issues.

* In Jamaica, the Jamaica Library Service introduced public access computers in over 100 public libraries.