Developing Best Developing Best Practice in Reading Practice in Reading Tents in East AfricaTents in East Africa

Developing Best Developing Best Practice in Reading Practice in Reading Tents in East AfricaTents in East Africa

Robert Sarjant, Head of Operations, Book Robert Sarjant, Head of Operations, Book Aid International, UKAid International, UK

World Library and Information Congress, World Library and Information Congress, Oslo 2005Oslo 2005

Background• 3 countries: Kenya, Uganda,

Tanzania• Only 10% of schools have libraries• Publishing is weak• Literacy rates are low• Lack of reading culture• Growth of Primary Education

Background• East African Book Development

Association (EABDA) formed in 2001

• Runs reading tents• And trains teacher-librarians• Formed partnership with Book Aid

International (BAI) in 2003

Book Aid International• established 1954• works with partners to create reading

and learning opportunities for people to realise their potential and alleviate poverty

• provides books and training to libraries and the book chain in 18 countries

EABDA’s Mission• To enhance a reading culture in

Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania, through developing the book chain (authorship, publishing, distribution, readership) & to encourage cross border trade in books.

EABDA aims to:

develop projects that ensure creation and supply of appropriate reading materials

support development of school & community libraries, & training of teachers in reading and library development

initiate/support projects & campaigns to build a book-reading culture

Why reading tents?• Breaks association between

reading and textbooks• Makes reading for fun• ‘an outreach tool used to promote

reading, stimulate a desire and love for reading, develop reading skills and a reading culture.’

Reading Tent Activities• Storytelling and drama• Face painting• Puppet shows• Art (draw your favourite character)• Quizzes• Puzzles and games

Working in partnership to:

Promote reading as a basis for education and lifelong learning

Increase access to info. through libraries Strengthen capacity within the book

chain Develop effective advocacy Support professional skills development Improve assessment of the outcomes

Who is our audience?• Children• Teachers – many are not readers• Parents• Wider community• Local leaders and business

Planning and Partners• Involve stakeholders & identify a lead• Mobilise the community• ‘the occasion created a sense of

ownership & appreciation of the library by the local community & laid the ground for future participation of the local community, including the business people’

What materials?• Relevant to target group/local

situation• Appropriate language and style• Variety/diversity of titles• Good physical quality• Origin – local titles to promote

local book industry

Books from BAI

How do we promote the project?

• Sensitisation• Posters & Announcements• Radio, TV and newspapers• Invitations to local dignitaries• Participation in book fairs• But more advocacy needed

How do we train?

• Participatory approach• Sharing learning and best practice• Training the trainer • Focus on practical outcomes

How do we keep going?• Reduce reliance on donors• Keep sowing seeds – training,

reading clubs, book weeks, library sessions

• Build up best practice & evidence • Lobby governments for support• Collaborate with stakeholders

No room in the tent!

Conclusions• Literacy guidelines useful for

planning and looking back at projects• Reading tents project needs more

work on latter stages of cycle• Given right opportunities, children all

over the world will enjoy reading

Book Aid InternationalFor further information: Email: info@bookaid.orgOr see www.bookaid.org

Full paper available from:http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla71/papers/137e-Sarjant.pdf