FAVL is committed to establishing and supporting small community libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa to increase access to reading materials. It works with villages to build and staff libraries, provides books and training, and ensures reporting. FAVL has established 14 libraries across 4 countries and supports the Uganda Community Library Association with over 60 member libraries. In 2009-2010, FAVL launched reading camps, opened 4 new libraries in Burkina Faso, received a grant to improve girl access, and increased UgCLA membership by 50%. It also supported various library conferences and launched a study abroad program where students publish culturally relevant books.

1. Friends of African Village Libraries

2. About FAVLCommitment: FAVL is committed to the long-term management of and support for small community libraries in Sub-Saharan AfricaMission: FAVL is dedicated to increasing access to reading material and other information in rural villages in sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Our ApproachFAVL works with village community and local government to establish librariesVillage provides building and/or land; FAVL helps build or refurbishFAVL trains and helps supervise librarianFAVL supports librarian salaries (librarians should be employees of local government)FAVL purchases and produces books relevant to the communityFAVL ensures regular and reliable library reportingFAVL helps volunteers work in villagesOverall, the model is management intensive and long-term commitment

4. FAVL LibrariesFAVL has established 14 libraries, 9 in Burkina Faso, 3 in Ghana, 1 in Tanzania and 1 in Uganda, and has over 60 member libraries as a part of the Uganda Community Library Association

5. FAVL LibrariesFAVL also established and supports the Uganda Community Library Association (UgCLA) with over 60 member libraries.

6. Our PartnersPoverty Eradication Network (PEN) TrustUnder the Reading TreeFastPencilCESRUDKathy Knowles of Osu Children’s Library Fund

7. Looking Forward

8. 2009 Financial Summary

9. West Africa Library Statistics

10. East Africa Library Statistics

11. 2009-10 HighlightsSummer Reading Camps (Lisle Foundation, Chen Foundation)Four new libraries in Burkina FasoNew Field Foundation GrantUgCLA membership increase of 50%Reading West Africa ProgramMicro-PublishingLibrary Conferences

12. Summer Reading CampsFive village libraries in Burkina Faso hosted summer reading camps thanks to a grant from the Lisle FoundationSix two-week camps hosted in community libraries in Ghana funded by Chen FoundationThe camps were a huge success

13. New FAVL Libraries in Burkina FasoFour new libraries recently establishedBoniMarch 2009 with 925 booksDimikuy October 2009 with a stock of 600 booksPobe-Mengao March 2010 with 400 booksBougounam October 2010 with 400 books

14. New Field Foundation GrantFAVL received a grant of $4,352 from the New Field Foundation fund to make both Boni and Dimikuy community libraries more attractive to girl readersThis was completed by: Providing more female oriented booksPublish 25 of four girl oriented microbooksConducting reading programs with female staffBuild two separate latrines: Male and FemaleBuild an outside reading circle

15. New Field Foundation GrantA girl and boy latrine at the Dimikuy Community Library

16. Uganda Community Library Association UgCLA had a total of 42 member libraries by the end of 2009, increasing 50% since 2008

17. UgCLA hosted two conferencesFebruary 2009

18. UgCLA’s Annual General Meeting

19. “Libraries as Centers for Education and Development” Workshop

20. Two day workshop

21. Attended by 35

22. Participants included UgCLA library members and librarian of FAVL managed Chalula Community Library

23. July 2009

24. “Library Management” Workshop

25. Two day workshop

26. Attended by 30 UgCLA Conference(Right to Left) Alain Sissao, Kate Parry, and unidentified workshop attendee

27. Kwekitui Librarian’s ConferenceTanzania Library supporters hosted the Kwekitui Librarian’s Conference in Lushoto on August 6th

28. Conference was planned by FAVL supporter Sarah Switzer, Rodgers and Kate Parry

29. Attendees included the literacy group HakiElimu, visitors from Moshi, a Rwandan NGO called Ready for Reading, eleven members of UgCLA and the District Secondary School Education Officer.Pan African “Reading for All” ConferenceConference in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaUgCLA contributed two presentations Aug. 11 – Kate Parry and Daniel Ahimbisbwe spoke about “What happens when you read a lot.”Aug. 13 – Kate Parry and Grace Musoke spoke about “An expanding movement” as a part of a colloquium on “An infrastructure for development: Community libraries in Uganda.”

30. Reading West Africa study abroad program FAVL, in partnership with Santa Clara University, launched its Reading West Africa program in 2009, and continued in 2010 (9 students each year)University students embarked on an intensive four-month immersion experience in Burkina Faso.The program offers five classes for students focusing on Francophone literature, development in West Africa, French Language and PhotographyThe program consists of two parts:First six weeks are spent in the capital, OuagadougouSecond six weeks are spent interning at FAVL community libraries

31. Reading West AfricaReading West Africa students group photos in Hounde Town, Burkina Faso

32. Reading West Africa – Making booksDuring the six weeks spent at FAVL libraries, students aligned their photography class with their village experiences to create culturally relevant children’s books Books are published using an online publishing platform provided by FastPencil Books are approximately $6.00 to publishIn 2009, RWA students published 23 booksIn 2010, RWA students will produce another 27 books

33. Making Books – MicrobooksThe children books produced by RWA students are a part of FAVL’s microbook publishing initiative

34. FAVL hopes to produce books featuring stories and photos from the villages where FAVL libraries reside

35. These books will help inspire a reading culture by providing material that is of interest to the children reading them

36. Most books will be printed in both the language of instruction and local languagesMicro-Books