Librii: A New Kind Of Digital Library For The Developing World

This new library-in-a-shipping-container plans on using growing Internet access in Africa to create a new model for making available both electronic information and physical books. It’s a conundrum that library advocates have struggled with for years: in many areas in the developing world, libraries run on donations, which means they often end up with irrelevant books that never even get removed from their boxes. People still come to libraries in these places for a quiet place to read and study, but certainly not because of the resources they provide. Recently, a crop of initiatives have launched that aim to make libraries more relevant again. Librii, a project from Libraries Across Africa that’s seeking $50,000 in funding from Kickstarter, is one of them. The project, which began as Librii director David Dewane’s thesis idea at the Rice School of Architecture, bills itself as "a digitally enhanced, community-based, revenue-generating library on the frontiers of broadband connectivity." In simple terms, the founders envision low-cost libraries (a single library in Ghana to start) that take advantage of the burgeoning fiber optic infrastructure in Africa to provide Internet access, curated content, educational programs, and of course, physical books.Read Full Story Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2013-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #educational programs

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Condé Nast's digital business edges closer to profit

CondeNet UK, the digital business of magazine publisher Condé Nast UK, edged closer to profitability in 2010, reducing its losses to £180,528, according to its latest financial results. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2011-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Wirral libraries now "empty shells"

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Mon, 13/06/2011 - 15:23 Wirral's libraries, 11 of which were saved from closure after a high-profile local protest campaign in 2009, are now "empty shells" with a "skeleton" staff, according to the borough's new Labour administration. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donaldson backs National Library Day

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Fri, 10/06/2011 - 14:53 The newly crowned children's laureate Julia Donaldson has given her support for National Libraries Day, the new initiative set to carry on the success of last February's Save Our Libraries Day. Donaldson said: "Hooray for... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing Scotland launches development scheme for publishers

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Thu, 09/06/2011 - 15:17 Publishing Scotland has launched its Company Development Project, calling for applications from small- and medium-sized publishing companies. The initiative, hosted by Publishing Scotland and partly funded by Creative... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Women's Institute will campaign for libraries

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Wed, 08/06/2011 - 15:16 The National Federation of Women's Institutes is to campaign on the issue of library closures, after voting in support of the issue at this afternoon's annual general meeting in Liverpool. Annie Mauger, chief executive of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins to publish digital exclusives from MacBride

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 08/06/2011 - 09:07 Stuart MacBride is to write two digital exclusive projects after signing a deal with HarperCollins. Sarah Hodgson, deputy publishing director, bought rights from Philip Patterson at Marjacq Scripts. The first book, Sawbones,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital rights management a "felony", conference hears

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gloucestershire libraries "invoice" row continues

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donaldson puts libraries centre stage

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zinio Digital Newsstand Now Available on Android Technology

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Council shuts New Cross library 24 hours early

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Edinburgh indie proposes World Book Night alternative

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Save the Libraries: ALA 2011

These are the books that defined my childhood. Encyclopedia Brown Takes the Case; The Secret of the Old Clock; Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret; Flowers in the Attic; Gone with the Wind. They thrilled me. They made me feel like I wasn't alone in the world. They told me about my history. They... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ofsted: libraries the key for 'keen readers'

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hard line on legal aid for library battles

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury launches new digital imprint for out of print titles

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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