6.+Conclusion

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Libraries are highly important in the creation of literate environments, “promoting literacy by offering relevant and attractive reading material for all ages and all literacy levels” (Krolak, 2005). The report, “International Literacy Statistics: A Review of Concepts, Methodology and Current Data," reveals that higher rates of literacy are linked to improved self-esteem, empowerment, higher levels of political participation, the expansion of democracy, cultural benefits like the preservation of cultural diversity and social benefits in the area of health, education and gender equality (UNESCO, 2008). These benefits make the pursuit of higher rates of literacy not only important but also urgent. ======

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Given that libraries are highly important in the facilitation of a nation’s pursuit of literacy, when there are barriers to the development of library services, literacy as a whole suffers. Common problems libraries face in Africa range from stifled book industries that are bureaucratic and poorly developed, lack of books to cater to the multiplicity of indigenous languages, lack of a reading tradition due to the prevalence of an oral culture, a lack or absence of government support, and a weak infrastructure with a general lack of awareness of the importance of literacy in general (Lor, 2000). As a result of all these problems “African countries' public libraries are in fact deteriorating rather than developing” (Lor, 2000). ======

Despite these hefty challenges, libraries are making strides through various initiatives. From books with built-in audio for illiterate populations to appropriate reading materials that offer incentive for adults to read and maintain their achieved level of literacy by being “practical, relevant and pertinent to daily survival," (Thomas, 1993) the level of literacy in sub-Saharan Africa is raised a little at a time. Additionally international help has also benefited libraries given that African governments do not always have the ability to fund them. For example, the Africa Library Project collects books and raises funds from the United States and establishes partnerships with African-based organizations to support the development of libraries (Africa Library Project, n.d.). It is hoped that the combination of literacy initiatives, the continual development of libraries with the help of international organizations and the growing awareness of the importance literacy and libraries will help move sub-Saharan Africa forwards on the development scale.

African Library Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.africanlibraryproject.org/home

Krolak, L. (2005). The role of libraries in the creation of literate environments. Paper commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2006, Literacy for Life. Retrieved 18 August, 2011, from http://www.ifla.org/files/literacy-and-reading/Role%20of%20libraries%20in%20creation%20of%20literate%20environments.pdf.

Lor, P. (2000). Libraries in the African renaissance: African experience and the prospects for survival in the information age. International Information & Library Review, 32, 213-236. Retrieved August 18, 2011, from ScienceDirect Journals.

Nassimbeni, M. & Tandwa, N. (2008). Adult education in two public libraries in Cape Town A case study. South African Journal of Library and Information Science, 74(1), 83-92. Retrieved August 18, 2011, from EBSCOhost.

Thomas, L. C. (1993). World literacy and the role of libraries. IFLA Journal. 19(2), 162-169. Retrieved August 18, 2011, from SAGE Journals Online.

UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2008). International literacy statistics: A review of concepts methodology and current data. Retrieved August 20 2011 from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, document library website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Library/Pages/default.aspx