Libraries in developing countries: eIFL joins the BBC in broadcasting to the world

BBC copyright

With an average listenership of 163 million people worldwide, the BBC World Service provides international news, analysis and information in English and 32 other languages. The Word, a weekly look at books and writing, this week explored libraries, a vital foundation of literary culture, and their role in developing countries. Rima Kupryte, eIFL Director, was joined by two librarians from Uganda to discuss the changing face of libraries in Africa from reading tents to telecentres and the new opportunities in the digital world. Rima highlighted the lead role of librarians in transforming connectivity for the education and research community in Malawi and the importance of having access to up-to-date information for development.

South African author Justin Cartwright explains why libraries are important to him and prize winning novelist Lionel Shriver, believing that there is no greater leveller than giving people equal access to information through libraries, has left her money in her will to a public library.

The program was broadcasted on May 22-29, 2007 and you can listen to it at any time from our website by clicking on the attachment below.