Community Knowledge Centers for Liberia: meeting Africa's millennium goals through a unique collaboration of communities, universities, libraries, and schools for Liberia's economic and social development

• Published in: Library Hi Tech News Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 6 - 11
• Main Authors: A. Kesselman, Martin, Wu, Connie, Palumbo, Laura, Simon, James, Rodolfo Juliani, Hector, Rowe, Richard
• Format: Journal Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 14.10.2013
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Access to education; Africa; Agriculture; Appropriate technology; Civil war; Community development; Computer literacy; Economic growth; Education; Electricity distribution; Farmers; GDP; Gross Domestic Product; Infrastructure; Initiatives; Iron compounds; Learning; Librarians; Librarianship/library management; Libraries; Library & information science; Library technology; Natural resources; Rubber; Rural areas; Students; Technological change; Workforce; Liberia; United States > US; Liberia; Technology; Computer software; Library services
• DOI: 10.1108/LHTN-07-2013-0045
• ISSN: 0741-9058

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the need for libraries and rural community knowledge centers using appropriate technology. Design/methodology/approach – A case study discussing new ideas. Findings – An alternative to traditional libraries is proposed for the dissemination and teaching of agriculture, literacy, health information, etc. Research limitations/implications – The paper requires the development of prototypes and grant funding. Practical implications – Although the article discusses Liberia, the information represents any rural community in developing countries where often electricity, libraries, and internet connectivity do not exist. Originality/value – Rethinking existing ideas and creating new ones.