How do libraries further development?

Libraries further development by helping people in developing countries get the information they need to access economic opportunity, improve their health or develop their communities. 

• Development projects that are working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are most effective when they leverage existing resources and local institutions that people already know and trust, such as public libraries.
• Libraries have staying power because of ongoing public support and dedicated funding, and therefore governments and development agencies should seek to strengthen and expand the services libraries offer, rather than funding new, unproven infrastructure or investing in narrow, technology-based approaches. Development practitioners should seek to partner with libraries wherever available as a way to sustainably support initiatives in a variety of fields, including health, agriculture, civic engagement, education, information literacy and others.
• Libraries have a powerful impact when they proactively promote their role in information access for development. Libraries can offer innovative partnerships with government initiatives and NGOs as a way to address community members’ needs and work to communicate their value as institutions that can sustain development efforts. . 

All over the world, libraries combine a trusted, local institution with information access that is critical to powering economic opportunity and community development. Libraries offer a more efficient, smarter way of doing development. 

Last update: 18 February 2013