The award was
announced August 16 at the annual International Federation of
Library Associations and Institutions' World Library and
Information Congress in
Oslo.
Bangladesh has
one of the highest population densities of any nation in the
world. Many of its people are forced to live on and cultivate
flood-prone land. SSS educates farmers about effective
agricultural practices as well as other issues affecting their
livelihood and health. During the annual monsoon season, which
lasts three to four months, the boat libraries, schools, and
mobile internet units dock at riverside communities. The
SSS-supported boats are equipped with computers, printers,
mobile phones, multimedia projectors, books, and other
information resources. The project area has no electricity;
the computers that provide internet access are run by solar
energy and fuel-efficient generators.
Females account for half
the population of Bangladesh, but religious and cultural
traditions prevent them from traveling far from home to
receive education or training. Through the boat program, girls
can attend school without leaving their villages. Locally
developed Web tutorials, recorded documentaries, and other
electronic resources offered on the boats are helping these
girls become literate, contributing members of their
communities. In 2004, the SSS boat program reached about
86,500 families.
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CLIR manages
the USD1 million Access to Learning Award, which is
given annually to public libraries or similar organizations
outside the United States for innovative programs providing
free public access to computer technology, particularly for
underserved communities. Past award recipients include
libraries and organizations in Argentina, China, Colombia,
Denmark, Finland, Guatemala, and South Africa. CLIR is
soliciting applications for 2006. For information, visit here.
(Reprinted with permission from CLIR News #47 Sep/Oct 2005,
published by the Council on Library & Information
Resources.)
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