Public access to information is a public
good. But today, four billion people remain unconnected to the internet. That
means half the people in the world are still losing out on the economic,
social, and educational opportunities that access can provide. In some places,
access through mobiles and other technology has grown so quickly and unevenly
that the divide has only deepened between those with access and those without.
As the world finally moved from Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to
information must be a priority for all. In the 21st century, information
is a powerful development tool that support communities in a variety of ways
and the libraries have a history as trusted community based sources for
addressing people’s information need. It has also become a powerful partner to
help deliver service that meets personal and economic development.
Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human
Development in Africa (YiSHDA) in partnership with Beyond Access a program of
International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) and with support from Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation is building a network of 35 public libraries in
Northern Nigeria.
Through Beyond Access, YiSHDA works to
promote sustainable inclusive access to information and technology for those
who need it most. The program is aimed at
creating a platform that will help develop public libraries to function
effectively and thereby transforming them into a unique hub for national
development.
Nigeria is in the dawn of a new era for development
and hence, it is time for YiSHDA to lay a foundation for change and development
by mainstreaming developmental programs/activities through the public libraries
for the benefit of the general public. Libraries
store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world
and inspire people to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving their
quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.
The following public libraries are currently
participating in the Beyond Access Nigeria Project in the Northern Region of Nigeria:
·
Bwari
Branch Library, FCT Education Resource Centre
·
National
Library of Nigeria Area 2, Abuja
·
Oguma Branch Library, Kogi State Library Board
·
Kogi Library Board HQ, Lokoja
·
Okene
Library Branch, Okene Local Government, Kogi State
·
Kabba
Library Branch, Kabba Local Government, Kogi State
·
Niger
State Library Board, Minna
·
National
Library of Nigeria Minna, Niger State
·
National
Library of Nigeria Kaduna, Kaduna State
·
National
Library of Nigeria, IIorin, Kwara State
·
Kwara
State Library Board, IIorin, Kwara State
·
Nasarawa
State Library Board, Lafia
·
Keffi
Branch Library, Nasarawa Library Board
·
National
Library of Nigeria Nasarawa, Lafia
·
Gombe
State Library Board HQ, Gombe State
·
Biliri
Branch Library, Gombe State
·
Plateau
State Library Board, Jos
·
National
Library of Nigeria, Jos, Plateau State
·
Bauchi
State Library Board, Bauchi State
·
Zonal
Library Branch Azeri, Bauchi State
·
National
Library of Nigeria Bauchi, Branch State
·
Adamawa
State Library Branch HQ, Yola
·
Numan
Branch Library Adamawa State
·
National
Library of Nigeria, Jalingo Taraba State
·
Kebbi
State Library Board HQ, Kebbi State
·
Argungu
Library Branch Kebbi State
·
Zamfara
State Library Board, Zamfara State
·
Gusau
Branch Library, Zamfara State
·
National
Library of Nigeria, Sokoto State
·
State
Library Board, Sokoto State
·
National
Library of Nigeria, Katsina State
·
Katsina
State Library Board, Katsina State
·
Takai
Library Branch, Kano State
·
Kano
State Library Board HQ, Kano State
·
National
Library of Nigeria, Kano State
Beyond Access…Making Information Work for
Everyone!
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