Libraries Powering Development: How Public Libraries Contribute Towards Reaching the Millennium Development Goal

Libraries around the world are helping to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to this 20-page report published by Beyond Access. According to the report, as the world works to achieve the United Nations' MDGS, access to information must be a priority for all development initiatives. In the 21st century, information is a powerful development tool that supports communities in a variety of ways. The report proposes that while libraries face constrained budgets, they offer a proven, existing, and sustainable venue that delivers results.
As stated in the report, there are more than 230,000 public libraries in developing and transitioning countries, and libraries are able to help work towards the MDGS in the following ways:

• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and Hunger: Many of the world’s poorest communities lack access to existing knowledge that can be used to combat some of their most severe challenges. Libraries have consistently served as information hubs, supporting local community and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in effectively addressing the needs of populations they serve. Libraries and organisations have partnered to help communities meet their basic needs most efficiently by helping farmers learn modern agricultural and marketing methods or matching workers with available jobs. Such is being done in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, where a network of 12 Maarifa, or publicly accessible knowledge centres, annually reaches 1.5 million people in the most remote regions, serving as public libraries.
• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education: Libraries are playing this key role in the achievement of universal primary education. Research shows that a strong library programme that is adequately staffed, resourced, and funded can lead to higher student achievement regardless of the socio-economic or educational levels of the adults in the community. Lubuto public libraries in Lusaka, Zambia reach large numbers of the country's street children, orphans, and other vulnerable children who are largely not enrolled in school. The libraries make education accessible to this vulnerable group by providing information access for learning, literacy, cultural awareness, artistic expression, and social services. The Béréba Public Library in southwest Burkina Faso is an example of how communities have come together to develop public libraries to better address the literacy needs of their students.
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women: The Kitengesa Community Library in southwestern Uganda serves as a protected, respected meeting place where women can gather to support each other and have their questions answered. This is important because libraries are reliable secure environments in which women and girls can obtain the information services they need to take control of their lives and influence their societies. In Kenya, a network of independent public libraries promotes the importance of reading to children while building literacy skills among young mothers who were not able to complete school. Librarians also work with participating mothers to create storybooks from their own oral traditions. The project develops literary skills in young mothers while exposing pre-school children to a love of stories.
• Goals 4 & 5: Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health: The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) is helping to prevent deaths during pregnancy, birth or unsafe abortions by providing healthcare providers with knowledge on how to correctly apply simple, inexpensive interventions. According to the Health Information for All 2015 campaign, tens of thousands of children, women and men die every day for want of simple, low-cost interventions. When libraries are part of this strategy, they can help save lives.
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other Diseases: Libraries can play a central role in disease prevention efforts. The Ramotswa Public Library in southeastern Botswana is playing an active role in reducing the impact HIV/AIDS has in its community. The library has partnered with the District HIV/AIDS committee on a "Lifeline Project" to help educate young people about issues concerning HIV/AIDS.
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability: Public libraries are helping community members learn how to incorporate principles and practices of sustainable development into their daily lives. Libraries conduct programmes, provide library users with print and electronic access to information about environmental preservation, and demonstrate best practices of sustainable technologies, such as solar power, safe sanitation, and sustainable farming strategies.
• Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development: Dynamic partnerships between libraries, government, and the private sector are helping to shift the perception of libraries from traditional depository of books to places that offer the benefits of new technologies for personal development and economic improvement. Libraries, as neutral, safe, respected places that are accessible to all, can be vital community centres that have the flexibility to offer programmes that respond to community needs.

The report concludes that at a time of tight development budgets, libraries can offer a better, smarter way to achieve development goals. Libraries are flexible institutions that can respond quickly to community information needs, whether after a natural disaster or during an ongoing community medical, agricultural, economic, or educational challenge. Libraries can have a powerful impact when they proactively promote their role in information access for development.