Providing a simple online toolkit for school libraries in developing countries so that they can become centers of competence in primary and secondary schools

Abstract

This paper describes a co-operative effort between the ENSIL Foundation and the Royal Tropical Institute, KIT Information and Library Services to provide school libraries, especially those in developing countries, with a simple online toolkit, which will help them to become centres of competence in primary and secondary schools. It is based on a similar toolkit which was designed by the KIT and is being used by university libraries throughout Africa. Although many school libraries have few facilities or funding, the IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2010 reports that approximately 30% of all school libraries worldwide now have Internet access. Using free open access software, the toolkit will provide school libraries with simple (online) training opportunities for library staff in literacy and information literacy skills, an advocacy platform, simple cataloguing tools, and access to online (full-text) resources). In addition it will provide access to online communities which focus on knowledge sharing. The paper will also broach the subject of an international, online, open-access repository for school libraries.