It can be difficult for people in rural areas to visit a library, which is why the resources development program and the Rural Library partnered to introduce a mobile book service, which offers a selection of 1,200 books to the people of rural Zimbabwe.
This mobile library is carried throughout parts of the country by donkeys, which have large book-filled carts attached to their backs. So far, the organization is equipped with 15 Donkey cart libraries, three of which, contain solar panels that can power a computer, while serving as a charging dock for visitor's phones.
The service makes frequent stops at community centers and schools, and has a number of carts dedicated to exclusively carrying children's books.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Mobile Library Services
- Opportunities for innovative and unique mobile library services to reach underprivileged communities.
- Eco-friendly Transportation
- Innovative transportation solutions that are sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Community Empowerment Programs
- Opportunities for community empowerment programs, especially in rural areas with limited access to educational and other resources.
Where This Applies
- Library Services
- The library industry can create mobile and sustainable library services like the donkey-powered mobile library to reach clients in rural environments.
- Transportation
- Developing eco-friendly transportation options for underprivileged communities where resources are scarce but transportation is still required.
- Community Development
- Innovative programs for community development that bring resources to areas that lack access to the same opportunities as urban areas.
