Development of Libraries Around the World

“The classroom was a jail of other people’s interests. The library was open, unending, free.”

― Ta-Nehisi Coates

I’ll be the first to admit that as a classroom teacher working full time, back at university, and a full time mother… I am overwhelmed with the urgent needs of my students, and my family. I have rarely pondered the academic plight of developing nations.

In the past couple of years I have personally packed up 15-20 boxes of discarded books to be removed from our school. These books were worn out, irrelevant and contained text and images that were racist, or otherwise offensive in some way. I did not question where the books were going. I assumed most would get recycled. I had done my job by clearing the school shelves. The end destination of these books was someone else’s issue.

As a teacher who has worked mostly in inner city schools, our libraries have often been the recipient of used books from well-intentioned donors. Some of these books have been great. Most have not. The time needed to sort, ‘re-donate’ or recycle the
books is vast. I have often had the thought, “My students deserve better.” Meanwhile, I have played a part in sending our unwanted books to less privileged libraries.

In Donations to Libraries: A Problem In International Cooperation, Paul Sturges states, “Donations of books and other materials received by libraries in developing countries reveals the paradox that a gift can be more of a problem than a blessing.” He describes the dilemma of ‘receiving’ countries facing with the problem of disposing rubbish books or shelving worthless or harmful ones containing propaganda or racism. Many libraries, both public an academic, feel obliged to be grateful because they have such a large role in supporting education with very few resources.

Sturges states, “Unfortunately, in practice the majority of donations are more of a problem than a benefit: they cost money to deal with and can be an embarrassment by expanding the collection rather than by improving it.”

Creating a responsible program to support libraries in developing nations includes taking into account the needs and sensitivities of the potential beneficiaries. Sturges suggests that donors purchase books published in the country or region of the recipients rather than sending books that are irrelevant.

Digital resources in developing nations may be part of the solution for patrons to access more up to date and relevant information. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation states on their website, “We focus on issues we think are the biggest barriers that prevent people from making the most of their lives.” Funding the development of libraries with access to computers and the internet, along with healthcare
are priorities of the foundation.

“There are more than 320,000 libraries worldwide, 73 percent of them in developing and transitioning countries. In many communities, public libraries are the only place where any person, regardless of education or skill level, can have access to information and resources such as computers and internet access free of charge. Moreover, library staff often provide training and support for first-time internet users as well as those looking to improve their skills—many of whom would otherwise be left behind.” (Gates Foundation website).

It is not just developing nations that need libraries to provide access to computers and the internet. It became clear during the early stages of the Covid pandemic that many families at my school lacked devices, internet and skills needed to access critical information and connect to their communities.

“Equality of opportunity in the digital age requires that all individuals have access to online information and digital tools along with the skills to create content, assess and use information, and participate fully in a digital world.” (Gates Foundation website).

 
In Digital Inclusion, Learning and Access at the Library, authors Melissa Morrone and Shanelle Witt write, “The concept of life-long learning has long been associated with public libraries and that mandate coupled with the availability of computer stations and other technology makes us an important source of information and literacy instruction.”(2013). Their research states that in the United States library staff spend a large portion of their time supporting patrons with job seeking, resume writing, and setting up emails for the first time. They acknowledge in their article that many patrons required help with basic skills to participate in society. “Job seekers and workers alike need to have a baseline familiarity with technology. Applications tend to be online, even if the job itself doesn’t require use of a computer.” (2013). Libraries are the places with the technology and staff to support people without these resources.
On the Gates Foundation website, it states that in the United States 77 million people use the public library to access the internet each year. In rural Botswana, public libraries serve as small business offices, and in Romania 41 000 farmers filed online applications for agricultural subsidies in public libraries in one year. (Gates Foundation website).

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
― Albert Einstein

Libraries have a critical role in equity of access so everyone, even those without personal technology can become digitally literate.

Mobile Devices and Literacy Opportunities Through Access to the Internet

How can mobile devices help libraries, both in developed and developing nations? Many school libraries and classrooms are developing policies where students can use their own devices at school. My own children, one in high school, the other in university, both are trusted with a BYOD, or “Bring your own Device” policy. Even in high school most classes have structured online study groups, and collaborative group projects through Microsoft Teams. Teachers encourage students to access online tools to assist their learning in high school.

The elementary school where I teach is still a 'No Cell Phone' zone for students. Many of the local private schools have a BYOD policy, starting as young as kindergarten. I get it. Having students bring their own device means the school passes the responsibility of purchasing and maintaining the devices on to parents. It is a massive cost savings to the school.

In public schools, one cannot assume that everyone can afford or have the skills to support their child in this. Public schools in higher socio-economic communities again, have the advantage. Parents can fulfill the request of sending their child to school with a device, where in lower income areas, many cannot.

In theory teaching students how to use these personal digital ‘tools’ safely and responsibly at school is terrific… if students have their own mobile devices. It is critical that schools also have current, functional devices for school use.

A month ago, our school library acquired two older desktop computers so students can browse our book collection. Wrap your head around that! In the year 2022, my students can for the first time, search their library collection on a computer. 

Equity. 

Access. 

We do not have a level playing field in public schools. If students at my school were allowed personal devices, they would have had access years ago.

In Canada, the provincial Ontario Ministry of Education has a 'no cell phone' policy in all schools. There are exceptions for educational, medical, or circumstances 'to support educational needs’ of students. Their website claims it is to prevent distractions from learning and to reduce screen time.

British Columbia has not followed Ontario’s example. "School districts are responsible for setting local policy that meets the unique needs of their student populations," a statement from the BC Ministry of Education said in a CBC News interview. "This includes developing policies addressing the use of wireless technology, including cellphones, in schools and implementing the appropriate technology necessary to support the education needs of their students." (2019).

In Surrey, B.C. spokesperson Doug Strachan said that the district looks for ways to incorporate cell phones into learning. He states, "These are the tools that our kids are growing up with. They're connected all the time," Strachan said. "It's really a question of encouraging students to use them properly and appropriately and at the right times."

On the other hand, I know of many teachers that complain that cell phones are a constant distraction for students. Online bullying, and students accessing inappropriate material are a couple of other important issues that need to be continually addressed by teachers.

So, how can we as educators create responsible literacy opportunities and expand access to the internet and information databases?

As a teacher, I use mobile devices all day long in the classroom. I use my camera to document student learning and then post it to our classroom Microsoft Team for students and parents to access. I organize and show videos, both created by me or by contributors on the internet to ‘subject’ channels on Teams. Parents and staff communicate with me by email, chat or text. What if my students had the same access? It would be too much for my Grade 3 students but older ones will need to learn how to manage their 'access to information' while at school or at work.

Access to online books comes to my mind when I think of benefits for students. Working or busy parents can't always take their children to the library. Reading A-Z, Epic, Storylineonline, are a few accounts that our students in our community use at school and at home. Mathletics and Ten Monkeys are two math programs that our school has memberships for. My own children use Quizlet, Desmos (graphing calculator), and WolframAlpha. Using devices for research is a given, and teaching students how to evaluate resources is a critical part of 21st Century Learning. Older students, including my own have used green screens, book trailer apps, and imovie to generate school reports.

My son and his friends, use Instagram to post their mountain biking videos. This has led to a 'cash flow' for one of my son’s friends. Several of these teens have gotten comments from famous professional riders. My son and his friends are networking and building social media success and future opportunities. My daughter's friend, also in high school, publishes images of her art online which has led to commission work for two large companies.

The potential of learning and creative expression is endless with mobile devices. Cell phones can be used to document science experiments, photograph and film relevant data and evidence in the arts and humanities, and network with others worldwide.

“You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!"
(Doctor Who, from Tooth and Claw in Season 2)”
― Russell T. Davies

Libraries are no longer just the institutions that house books promoting literacy and empowerment, they connect patrons to the devices and skills to embrace the far reaching ‘arsenal’ of global information and communication through the digital world. 

 Look out, everyone! Our young people are arming themselves with digital tools that are evolving more rapidly than books.

References

Britten, L. (2019, March 12). B.C. won't follow Ontario in banning cellphones in class. CBC News. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cellphone-ban-ontario-1.5054099

Global libraries. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.gatesfoundation.org/our-work/programs/global-development/global-libraries

Morrone, M., & Witt, S. (2013). Digital Inclusion, Learning and Access at the Library. Urban Library Journal, 19(1).

Province of Ontario. (n.d.). Cellphones and Other Personal Mobile Devices in Schools. Ontario Ministry of Education. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/cellphones-and-other-personal-mobile-devices-schools

Sturges, P. (2013). Donations to Libraries: A Problem in International Cooperation.