Libraries for Development -project
Libraries for Development is a cooperation project between library services in Finland, Namibia and Tanzania. The main development objective is to promote the knowledge based society and use of information technology at public libraries, so as to render better services to the residents of Namibia and Tanzania.
Libraries for Development started in 2012 and will continue until the end of 2017.
Capacity building of the partner organizations is supported by training the project libraries' personnel in ICT and information search skills, in order to enable them to teach community members. Decision makers in both countries are involved to raise their awareness on the role of libraries in supporting national development goals. Workshops are arranged for the personnel, customers and decision makers; study tours for the personnel are arranged; and project libraries are equipped with new computers and internet connections. This way, the project is bringing the services of the information society to the grassroots level.
The project is in alignment with the poverty reduction strategies of the partner countries.
By the end of 2015, over 8500 community members (including SMEs, women, farmers, out-of-school youth) have been trained in computer use and in information search. The trainings, often tailored to meet specific group’s needs, have empowered the participants by educating them in the search of relevant and reliable information connected to their life, health, studies or work.
A total budget of this project is approx. 1 million €.