Module 8 : Developing World Libraries & Mobile Devices
Libraries guarantee access to knowledge (Pimmer et al., 2012). Libraries play a serious role in society and offer resources to create opportunities for learning. They shape new ideas and perspectives and are central to an innovative society. They also allow for information to be passed through generations and generations.
Mobile Devices can help developing nations and developed nations!
Access to Information: Libraries, especially in developing nations, are using mobile devices to provide their citizens with access to a wide range of information. Mobile devices can be used to connect to the internet and online educational resources to explore more information. This also applies for developed nations as well! We can see current news right at home or at local libraries.
Language Learning: Mobile devices can support language learning through language apps, online courses, and multimedia content. Libraries can provide resources and guidance to help citizens to improve their language skills.
Educational Support: Libraries, particularly in developing nations, are supplementing traditional educational resources with digital content accessible on mobile devices. This can include e-books, educational apps, and online courses, enriching the learning experience. For developed nations, Apps from the app store is often used for educational supplements or classroom activities. I personally use notability to help write notes in class and I would print my notes and share them with my friends. I've also used Iclicker's new app for inclass pollings. These apps are great for supporting my educational journey.
Image of Notability Logo.
Resources for developed Nations
E-books and E-resources: In mostly developed nations E-books and e-resources are excellent resources for libraries and perfect for library visits. Lectures for certain topics can be done on a set app and students can access them when they download the APP. For example to learn about biology or history there could be an app everyone downloads to follow along with class content.
3. Role of Mobile Devices:
Internet : Mobile devices, especially smartphones, enable students/citizens to access the internet.
Digital events : Libraries can promote digital inclusion by offering digital skills training and technical support for patrons using mobile devices, helping them navigate the digital world.
Information Sharing: Libraries can use mobile devices to share information about their collections, events, and services via social media, apps, and mobile-friendly websites. This promotes library use and community engagement.
Example of Mobile Devices in use during class :
At UBC, we are often asked to use our mobile phones for polls, to vote on classroom topics and for various in class assignments.
Specific Library Projects in Developing Nations
Hamilton (2013)’s article speaks on the importance of libraries. There are 320,000 public libraries worldwide and 230,000 are in developing nations. Public libraries offer public access to fundamentals, the internet and offers terms of empowering people to meet their informational needs. They are creating specific library projects by offering expertise. The staff at the library can provide advice which can be the difference between users simply accessing information or being able to use it. They are creating new literacy opportunities by getting the trained staff to help farmers and fishermen to use the Internet better to promote local products. They are also able to expand information databases by influencing policy makers, funders and development agencies to incorporate libraries into development activities (Hamilton, 2013). The library organizations are called the International Federation of Library Association and Institution. This organization allows for more awareness on the importance of maintaining libraries in developing countries. Moving forward to support the ever changing population, the Beyond access initiative (Non-Profit Transform Libraries) raised major library funding that will connect and rebuild/convert 368 public libraries in Chile (Hamilton, 2013). This is really amazing because with the additional libraries, Chile’s local population can benefit from the increasing access to new information, internet and also lively discussions.
Changing Communication Practices : The (Pimmer et al., 2012)’s empirical analysis revealed that Facebook is an ever-changing communication platform, this allowed for communication with relatives in developing nations that also also used Facebook for learning purposes. This includes engaging in discussion on medical and clinical topics. This new way of communicating via Facebook on mobile devices will assist and help developing nations because it provides unfilter transfer of conversation and news. These interns provide everyone with a basic understanding and ability to seek their own truths online. This also allows for democratic access to information which is unfiltered and uncensored.
Are there cons to globalization of information to developing countries?
In conclusion, mobile devices and libraries are crucial for developing and developed nations. This could include mobile devices during class for enhancement on learning certain products or using facebook in a developing nation as a way to spread news and current topics. Libraries and mobile devices usage are crucial for our understanding and learning. While library aid and globalization of information needs further research for the defininte answer of the pros and cons, one thing for sure is that we all should be given the choice to choose what information we want to learn and what we don't want to learn.
Here is a video about the notability app that I use for class! I think it's another reason why Mobile devies/technology should be used in class, this app has helped me through so many classes and helped me organize my thoughts!References :
Pimmer, C., Linxen, S., & Gröhbiel, U. (2012). Facebook as a learning tool? A case study on the appropriation of social network sites from mobile phones in developing countries. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(5), 726-738. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2012.01351.x
Hamilton, S. (2013, March 12). Stamping out poverty as well as books? how libraries can support development. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development
Curry, A., Thiessan, T., & Kelly, L. (2002). Library Aid to Developing Countries in Times of Globalization: A Literature Review. World libraries: Library aid to developing countries in times of globalization: A literature review. http://www.chrisdaydesign.com/worldlib/vol12no2/curry_v12n2.shtml#references
I think you're comment that "mobile devices and libraries are crucial for developing and developed nations" is absolutely correct. There is no doubt that in our increasingly interconnected world, mobile devices and libraries can play a major role in improving the lives of people. However, I am wondering what you found in your case study on accessibility rates. I looked at a case of a team of researchers trying to alleviate poverty in India using public libraries to give users mobile, financial, and information literacy and the researchers concluded that the poor do not benefit from library services or mobile technology because they are simply too poor and lack the basic literacy skills even to read. I don't disagree with you that public libraries can give users "increasing access to new information, internet and also lively discussions" but have you considered or found anything in your case study on the availability of wifi or even the ability to read to make use of the internet? I think there is more that needs to be considered when examining the role libraries can play. Despite the panacean view we have of libraries, I think some focus on the infrastructural needs that must exist before libraries and mobile technology can improve the lives of the impoverished in developing nations must also be addressed.
ReplyDeleteHaymen! Great insight, I absolutely agree with you that we can't just assume that they have internet or wifi or can even access the library. The statistics for India however, is that from 2004 where the population had an estimated 4% who had access to the internet, now jumped to 48.7%! Although those percentages are still low, it's a really impressive amount of range and so.. the world is developing and it's really exciting to be able to research different aspects of a developing country.
DeleteWhile I agree that mobile devices and libraries can be incredibly valuable, it's crucial to recognize that they may not be a remedy for all the challenges faced by impoverished individuals in developing nations.
You highlight the importance of addressing infrastructural needs. Without reliable access to electricity, the internet, and basic education, the potential benefits of libraries and mobile technology can indeed be limited. Governments and organizations must invest in infrastructure alongside promoting these resources.
It's worth noting that some initiatives and libraries in developing nations have been successful in adapting to local needs. For example, libraries providing community literacy programs can help address the literacy issue you raised. Additionally, innovations like low-cost mobile phones have made some services accessible to even low-income populations.
specific challenges faced by impoverished individuals in certain regions must be considered, and a holistic approach that addresses literacy, infrastructure, and local needs is necessary to maximize the potential benefits of these tools and even though one of my articles hadn't mentioned accessibility in depth I do think that we could research about developing countries in different levels such as a level to factor in accessibility and a level where those who could enter a library and could use wifi and how they would spread information, use facebook and use library resources to their advantage. All would be useful for this week's topic (: Thanks for the insightful discussion Haymen!
Hi Michelle,
DeleteI think you bring up the very important point about social media as a library and news source. The reality of the world we live in is that many of us (myself included at times) get our news and reading materials from social media. This presents opportunity in great reach and access, but also risk in inaccurate and sometimes dangerous information. One instance that comes to mind relates to the Rohingya people in Myanmar. Misinformation, poorly moderated posts in other languages, and aggressive algorithms on Facebook have been found to have motivated hate and violence against a vulnerable community (see information from Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/09/myanmar-facebooks-systems-promoted-violence-against-rohingya-meta-owes-reparations-new-report/ *content warning for discussions of violence and hate crimes). I don't think it is effective for librarians and programs to shun the use of social media but I do think it is important to provide education and guidance on it's use as a source of information. Democratic access of resources is essential but equally important is knowledge on assessing and evaluating these resources. If librarians want to take advantage of popular social media programs, like Facebook, sharing information on evaluating sources is critical.
I appreciate the way that you shared practical strategies from your personal context and then layered in ideas from reading and research. Your work did leave me with some questions about barriers such as access and availability of tools and tech infrastructure as well as the reliability and credibility of information online. So many pieces have to come together in order to support those locally as well as those around the globe.
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