Lubuto Libraries
Lubuto libraries are special places where Africa's street kids and other marginzalized children can read for themselves, look at books or have books read to them. In Lubuto libraries, children come in contact with and explore the world and their human heritage.
Lubuto library buildings are designed to give homeless children profound and rich spaces, a ‘home’ to read and learn in. The libraries are havens from a harsh life, where children can just be children, and where books can allow them to dream and envision a better future.
Giving vulnerable children the opportunity to learn to read and to learn, even if they are excluded from formal schooling, will help them to go in positive directions with their lives, knowing that society is providing a place for them and cares about their welfare.
Lubuto Libraries introduce the communitites in which the are established to the role libraries can play – and have played in the U.S. – in opening doors of opportunity for marginalized populations. That these libraries focus on the youngest and most vulnerable members of society makes their societal impact potentially very powerful. Adults, and youth from intact families who attend school, will also want to be in Lubuto Libraries – and the resulting interaction will allow Lubuto's kids to be more connected to their culture and society, to others.
Lubuto Libaries are Special
The Lubuto Library project is distinguished from traditional book donation programs. The project is unique in providing complete library collections of excellent children's books, already organized. On delivery, an instant library with books covering a wide range of subjects and levels is created.
As the books will have been carefully selected from materials received by donation to ensure that the collection is balanced and comprised of top quality publications, the libraries will be relevant, offering age-appropriate and truly excellent children's books. The collections are as fine as could be found anywhere.
Volunteers creating the collections will be guided by a detailed collection development policy drafted by top experts in children's literature. The libraries in Africa will also provide feedback on the materials sent, and local staff will be trained to maintain the libraries and offer and evaluate services. Local-language materials will be identified and and included in the collections whenever possible.