THE IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL LIBRARIES
THE IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL LIBRARIES
​Libraries in many rural, poverty-stricken global areas provide hope to many who long to live in a free nation. Those who promote literacy in these areas continue to create ingenious ways of reaching their communities, which are in dire need of literacy support.
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Take the following, for example:​
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“Bibliomuleros” - mules carrying books and clothes, make weekly visits to schools in Venezuela.
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The Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha library boats in Bangladesh promote literacy in flood-prone areas.
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Dashdondog Jamba -a mobile librarian who travels via camel to bring books to children in the Gobi desert.
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Mobile libraries in Thailand provide books for children who reside in remote, impoverished areas.
BENEFITS OF LEARNING
ABOUT GLOBAL LIBRARIES
Students will benefit in many ways from learning about the work these literacy heroes are performing. By including this topic in your curriculum, students will practice the following skills:
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Analyzing evidence critically and demonstrating an understanding of how socio-economic factors affect communities.
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Recognizing how cultural differences and factors affect economies.
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Engaging with content-rich informational text to gain a broader understanding of the world around them.
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Constructing cross-cultural interdependence, as well as developing an appreciation of how impoverished communities can prosper when literacy and education are brought to them through library initiatives.
Ridwan Sururi started the mobile library called Kudapustaka - meaning "horse library” in Indonesia with the donated books from his fellow horse enthusiast Nirwan Arsuka and other donors. Every week on Tuesday,
Wednesday and
Thursday he visits nearby schools and villages to offer books for the children and the villagers.
FEATURED LITERACY HERO
INCORPORATING
GLOBAL LIBRARIES INTO EDUCATION
Lesson plans should include a variety of informational texts throughout the year that highlight a specific country’s library. This social interaction around complex informational text will lead to rich, structured discussions. You can scaffold informational text about global libraries through close reading and discussion questions.
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Our online community members contribute different ideas on how to incorporate the importance of global libraries and literacy heroes!
