PROJECT_LEAP

Introduction
Background
In much of Africa, access to books and information is extremely
limited– UNESCO reports that 50% of schools in Africa have few
or no books at all. 1 Furthermore, according to UNESCO, “Africa
produces a mere 2% of the world’s books, despite having 12%
of the world’s population. It is estimated that sub-Saharan Africa
imports close to 70% of its books. The majority are university
textbooks and vocational training books and cost an average of
US$25 per copy.” 2 Transportation, logistics, and financial constraints
contribute to this dearth of paper books and other written
materials on the African continent and in developing countries.
Africa’s libraries play a critical role in addressing this shortage by
serving as repositories of books open to all. And yet, libraries are
so much more than collections of books. UNESCO states that
they are key to “finding, using and interpreting appropriate information
that opens up opportunities for lifelong learning, literacy enhancement,
informed citizenship, recreation, creative imagination,
individual research, critical thinking, and ultimately, empowerment
in an increasingly complex world.” 3
Libraries must continue to expand their roles in their local communities
in order to thrive. As a recent report from the Aspen Institute
put so well, “as more information moves to digital formats, public
libraries will hold less material locally in their physical collections
(…) The physical library must undergo a transition that embraces
the openness and flexibility needed to thrive in a world of constant
change.” 4
Sub-Saharan Africa’s libraries are no exception to this trend as
the region undergoes rapid change, particularly on the technological
front. For example, Africa experienced the fastest growth
in internet access and mobile phone penetration over recent
years, with a 2000-2014 internet penetration growth rate of nearly
6,500%. For the sake of comparison, the next fastest growth rate
is held by Asia, at over 1,100%. 5
1
SAQMEQ III (2011).
2
Makotsi, Ruth (2004), cited in Krolak, L (2005).
3
Krolak (2005).
4
Aspen Institute (2014).
5
Internet World Stats, Accessed on February 11, 2015.
Project LEAP
Final Report - February 2015
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