Libraries as activators of farmer’s learning

Abstract

This paper shares the experience of the EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP), which supported public and community library pilot projects focused on meeting farmers’ needs for information and access to resources provided by governments. Since 2010, EIFL-PLIP has supported 13 library projects focused on supporting farmers in developing and transition economy countries. As a result, farmers have access to ICTs for the first time, have acquired ICT skills, increased opportunities to exchange knowledge with peers (face to face or online), and gained adapted agricultural content, for example, content translated into local languages. The paper reflects on EIFL-PLIP’s learning over three years, and concludes with some of the ways in which public and community libraries are contributing to farmers’ learning and consequently to improved livelihoods.