Implementation and Scaling of e-Reading Programs in Africa:

Lessons from Schools and Libraries

July 30, 2014

Joan Mwachi

joan@worldreader.org

Our Vision: A world where every child and her family

have the books they need to improve their lives

Our Approach

—We curate the world’s largest

culturally relevant digital library,

geared towards readers in

developing countries

—We make that library available on

cost-effective and context-

appropriate technologies

—We partner with project

implementers and the private sector

to drive user adoption and remove

barriers to access

We turn low end phones into portable libraries via

Worldreader Mobile

Mobile Phones

—6 of the world’s 7 billion people have access to

mobile phones.

—Worldreader Mobile is an application built for

feature phones – and low end Android devices.

These phones reach 2 billion people across the

world. This distribution mechanism is particularly

cost-efficient as it takes advantage of existing

hardware that is already in people’s hands. So

anyone can download our application and use it for

free, and no hardware or money needs to change

hands.

We distribute

thousands of

books to

schools and

libraries

throughout

Africa via e-

readers

11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa

readers deployed in 74 schools and 13 libraries

E-Readers

People Reading – 241,052

Books Delivered- 1,172, 355

E-readers Deployed - 6659

Cost-effective

Savings per school over 4 years

Context- appropriate

Low energy requirements

Focus on reading and

educational materials

Designed for off-line reading

Mobile Phones

1.7 million books read

348,596 people reached in 27 countries

Children make 2x progress reading words correctly

Girls outpace their peers in neighboring schools by 3

– 5x, closing a gender achievement gap.

Source: iREAD 2 Midterm Study, 2013

Project LEAPLibraries, e-Reading, Activities, Partnership

•Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

•8 Libraries in Western Kenya / 250 e-readers/ 50,000 African and international

books

Lessons learned for Project Scaling

—Higher Student: E-reader ratio increases

cost-effectiveness (and we have seen,

anecdotally, leads to similar educational

outcomes)

—Teacher and community engagement is key

—A solar solution is key for off-the-grid

communities

Lessons learned for Project Scaling

LEAP Baseline findings:1. Librarians and patrons want access to a diverse and large collection of books AND access to technology.

2. Library users at all pilot sites tend to be school-aged, with patrons under 25 years old being more active users of the libraries than older adults.

3. Social interaction and public programs that engage patrons are vital program components for connecting with current patrons, and raising awareness about the library and e-reader program for non-patrons.

Lessons learned for Project Scaling

1."Mobile is key for getting books into peoples' hands” UNESCO report.http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002274/227436E.pdf

2. "Program modifications needed for different contexts” (schools, refugee settlements and libraries).

3. "Content is key.”

http://cdn.worldreader.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Project-LEAP-Baseline-Report.pdf?417a03

Thank you

joan@worldreader.org

www.worldreader.org

@worldreaders