African Children’s Libraries was established in 2001 by Ann Easterly, a retired school librarian, with the help of American and Nigerian friends and colleagues. The first village and refugee camp visits began in October, 2001, in Ghana and Nigeria.
Mission:
Increase children’s vision of the world and literacy in African villages and communities.
Goals:
1. Supply children’s books/reading materials to village libraries
Initially used children’s books in English shipped from the USA
Eventually purchased reference books and best books from bibliography (Goal #4)
2. Involve and assist chiefs and elders in establishing children’s libraries in villages
3. Train paraprofessionals for village children’s libraries
4. Build a bibliography of best children’s books from African, American, European, etc. authors for village children
5. Network with NGO’s working to provide children’s books and libraries