How can mobile devices help libraries in developed nations?
Still thinking about my interest into "23Things" which I talked about in my last post, I discovered this site: 23Mobile Things: Exploring the potential of mobile tools for delivering library services. Sounds right up our alley, right? It looks as though it was developed in 2013. While some of the items sound so simple that we might laugh at it (like "take a photo with a mobile device"), each "thing" has some inquiry questions that really connect the thing to our library. For example, I was rolling my eyes about the suggestion that I explore my phone, take a photograph, then locate it in my camera roll. BUT as I scrolled on through this "thing #2", they asked excellent questions such as, "How easy is it for clients to contribute digital photographs to your library collection (eg. local history)." ...I stopped laughing. Lots of great content on this site to get us thinking about how we're using our mobile devices for the library.
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| Image found at http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/29/technology-device-ownership-2015/ |
As we have been researching over the last many weeks, it seems that the general shift in libraries is an understanding that we need to embrace the technology and use it to our advantage. I've read about ways that WE, LIBE477, are incorporating technology into our libraries. I can't help but be drawn to the second section of today's assignment...
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| Image from article at: http://www.digitalpromise.org/blog/entry/teacher-librarians-chart-a-new-course-in-vancouver-public-schools |
How can mobile devices help libraries in developing nations?
Mobile devices are on the rise everywhere - not just in the US/Canada. However, according to this study...
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| Image from: http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/africa-phones-5/ |
Not only are smartphones uncommon, but access to internet seems to be the biggest hindrance to using computers/tablets/smartphones to access resources.
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| Internet users in 2012 as a percentage of the country's population Image found: http://ow.ly/UjDzP |
The first question seems to be, "How do we get internet to more people?" Check out one of Google's solutions:
As asked for this assignment, however, what is a specific library project happening right now?
I've read about many on your LIBE477 blog posts and found great ones such as "Little Free Libraries" in Uganda and the millions of dollars being spent through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to increase access to computers in libraries around the world.
But after recognizing the lack of accessible wifi, I discovered an amazing digital library program developed by a company called WorldReader. This company is providing e-readers to individuals, schools, and libraries and they have developed a mobile app as well so that people with smartphones can read from the digital library as well. They actively curate books by African and Indian authors making it culturally relevant and they distribute books in 43 languages.
Because these mobile devices are e-readers and not connecting their users to "unfiltered, uncensored information", are they still bringing positive change to a developing nation? You cannot watch the above video and say no. Veronica Adhiambo is going to be a teacher one day and go to "the college of teachers"! This program is working with the current challenges of the geography and making a difference in lives by teaching people to read, love learning, and develop even more ambition. When Google's balloons eventually bring everyone wifi (;)), "everyone" will be ready to read the information it gives them!
Until then, get involved in a program like WorldReader's Blue Box!
Bibliography
Barwick, Kathryn. (2013) 23 Mobile Things. Retrieved from: http://23mobilethings.net/wpress/
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (n.d.) Chile's Library Network Receives $1 Million From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Expand Access to the Internet. Retrieved from: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2004/08/Chiles-Library-Network-Receives-Grant
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (n.d.) Chile's Library Network Receives $1 Million From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Expand Access to the Internet. Retrieved from: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2004/08/Chiles-Library-Network-Receives-Grant
Peace Corps Uganda. (2014) Education Volunteers Bring "Free Little Libraries" to Uganda. Retrieved from: http://uganda.peacecorps.gov/education-volunteers-bring-%E2%80%9Clittle-free-libraries%E2%80%9D-uganda
WorldReader. (2015) General Information. Retrieved from: http://www.worldreader.org/
A decent blog post exploring some of the interesting projects and organizations out there working to support local communities in under-developed countries with support and equipment for improving literacy. Some good discussion as well as the ways our profession can adapt to new technologies and devices. Good tagging, linking and embedding.
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