Libraries for literacy, access to the information society and lifelong learning

Abstract

Based on national policies, the Royal Library of the Netherlands and the Public Libraries in the Dutch Caribbean aim to achieve targeted promotion policies for literacy, participation in the information society and Life Long Learning through networking of public libraries and civil society organizations in the Netherlands and also the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom: the autonomous countries Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the public entities Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. This initiative should contribute to alleviating the most pressing social needs among the most vulnerable group in our communities.

Currently (February 2022), researchers Alofs and Franken of the University of Aruba are conducting policy research to support this initiative. In the presentation, the outcomes of the research project will be presented and discussed. Three questions will be answered: First, what are the most urgent social needs and most vulnerable groups on the six island in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands? Second, what is the state of (functional, digital) literacy, the participation in the information society and Life Long Learning on the six islands? Third, and in collaboration with the Dutch Caribbean public libraries, the researchers are preparing an inventory and advice regarding the existing and necessary public library facilities and networks and of the ambitions, possibilities and conditions of libraries in the countries and public entities in the Dutch part of the Caribbean in order to realize said policy intentions.

The speakers invite the participants to engage in a debate on societal responsibilities of Caribbean governments and (public) libraries and of possibilities for network collaboration for the eradication of poverty (Sustainable Development Goal 1) and literacy (SDG 4) within the Caribbean region.