WE ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARIES TO ADVANCE DEVELOPMENT
EIFL-PLIP Manager Ramune Petuchovaite onsite at the IGF2021 in Katowice, Poland.
EIFL-PLIP Manager Ramune Petuchovaite at the IGF2021 in Katowice, Poland.

THE CHALLENGE

There are more than 230,000 public libraries in developing countries. Known and trusted in their communities, staffed by trained librarians, and increasingly connected to the internet, they are uniquely positioned to change lives and build strong communities.

But this opportunity remains untapped, because in developing and transition economy countries public libraries are still mostly viewed as quiet spaces for books and study, and are not equipped with computers and the internet for public use.

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) helps address this challenge through advocacy to change perceptions of public libraries.

Impact assessment results proved the success of our project and this played a crucial role in ensuring support from government and other institutions. The results helped us to develop essential partnerships and to expand our project to nine more municipalities!

- Laima Lapiniene, coordinator of Utena 'A. and M. Miskiniai' Public Library‘s 'Play to Study' project

FACTS

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Three countries in Africa - Ghana, Kenya and Uganda - expanded access to ICT by increasing numbers of computers and improving connectivity in public libraries as a result of EIFL-PLIP support.