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