This article from LIANZA in New Zealand reminds readers of the importance of libraries by likening them to essential services, “like roads, health care and education.” The article conveys the ways in which libraries contribute to the economy and the fabric of society. This could perhaps be used as a model for writing to our own local newspapers to communicate the vital role of libraries. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1310/S00138/libraries-are-an-essential-service.htm
This article from Ghana Web notes: “Schools urged to engage qualified librarians” to assist in addressing the illiteracy rate of 43.4 percent:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=288304
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The Finnish library Web TV called Kirjastokaista.fi visited Namibia’s capitol, Windhoek. There they shot a 30 minute long documentary film about two young persons whose liveshad improved because of the local library. The documentary is now available online and it’s published with Creative commons Attribution Non-Commercial license, so everyone can watch and share the video. Libraries, schools, etc. can even show it in their events.
The Greenwell Matongo library was initially founded in cooperation between the cities of Windhoek and Vantaa (Finland). The target was to bring the library services down to the grassroots level. The library was opened in 2005, and the public has embraced the library. The Greenwell Matongo Library also serves as an example library to the Libraries for Development project, which started in 2012 and is administered by the Finnish Library Association.
Documentary with English subtitles: http://bit.ly/17frfOd
Documentary with Swedish subtitles: http://bit.ly/1aFP5xB
Documentary with Finnish subtitles: http://www.kirjastokaista.fi/portti_maailmaan/