Provider, Partner, Promotor: Evidence from the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning’s LitBase on the Role of Libraries in Supporting Literacy around the World

Abstract

LitBase is a collection of 232 evaluated examples of good practice in promoting literacy around the world, with most examples coming from developing countries. The examples provide a wide range of programmes, from the local to the national levels, with as a common thread a focus on adult literacy (often alongside child literacy). They are intended to allow for research into the factors that can drive effective literacy strategies, and to inspire national literacy and reading actions around the world.

In this paper, we review the 75 case studies that refer to libraries, in order to build up an idea of the different ways in which libraries feature. This should provide those looking to advocate for libraries to be included in plans and projects around literacy plenty of evidence to use.

This paper presents the results of this review. It looks first at the different groups who have benefitted from activities run by or involving libraries, then at the ways in which libraires contribute, before looking at the unique characteristics of libraries that make them such important parts of efforts to boost literacy and the support libraries may need to fulfil this potential. Throughout, references are made to individual case studies that feature in the database.