Early Childhood Literacy & Nutrition in Guatemala

How Riecken Libraries Foster Innovation, Inclusion, and Digital Literacy

Access to technology in community libraries provides users with free access to resources such as computers, the internet, and other digital devices, enabling them to access information, conduct research, learn, and develop essential digital skills. This is key to ensuring equal opportunities, as many individuals, especially those without access to technology at home, can use these resources for education, job search, and personal development. Additionally, it facilitates social inclusion by reducing the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to access information and government services.

Community libraries also foster innovation and creativity by offering tools for design, editing, and other technological fields, while serving as community spaces where users can collaborate and learn. Furthermore, in emergency situations, libraries with access to technology provide a point of contact to obtain crucial information and access administrative services. In summary, community libraries that offer access to technology not only support the educational and professional development of the community but also promote social inclusion and digital empowerment.

For many Riecken Community Libraries, providing digital skills learning opportunities has become an important part of their offering. A 2017 IFLA Statement® points to the experiences of libraries offering such programming, taking a broader view of digital literacy - as the ability to use digital tools to fulfil their information needs, ethically, effectively and efficiently. Riecken Community Libraries in Guatemala have always had a crucial role in the dissemination and application of knowledge and in providing a place for (informal) life-long learning. They have also been quick to fill in gaps in connectivity by offering public Internet access and use of other technological tools.

An example of this is the Forjando Mentes Brillantes Community Library, El Tejar, built and equipped with the support of ASHA/USAID.

Edmer, a teacher at an institute in the community, is a member of the library's board of directors and serves as the Technology Coordinator at the library in El Tejar. He shares with us why he decided to volunteer at the library:

 I came to the El Tejar library by invitation from the librarian, who informed me about the library's services, one of which was technology—my passion. It is what I do and what I enjoy, as I am a certified IT Essentials instructor, among other qualifications. I remembered how many opportunities I lost due to my lack of knowledge in using computers, and the community library is a gateway to many opportunities for children, young people, and adults to increase their knowledge.

I work at an school in the El Tejar community specializing in technological training, which motivated me to tell my students how the library can be an ideal place to share knowledge for those seeking training opportunities. Of the 40 students, two became interested in contributing their knowledge to develop a workshop at the library, which included learning Word, Excel, and Canva. The training experience was a significant advancement for the participants, as they improved their ability to use resources to create documents and presentations. This experience has motivated many students aspiring to graduate in 2025 to do their internships at the library, benefiting more users. It has also inspired me to continue planning activities that promote technology training from the library.

The community has recognized my abilities, which led to my selection to teach a course at the library for 12 local schoolteachers. The course was designed to assess the technological progress of students, allowing us to measure significant advances in computing among primary-level students.

Due to my willingness to share my knowledge and my affection for the community, I was elected to the library board as the Technology Coordinator, a key position that I am confident will enable me to transmit my knowledge to those interested in learning about the world of technology. The Forjando Mentes Brillantes Library is the only one promoting the integration of technology and the opportunity to generate more knowledge. I am pleased to support and continue supporting the community library."

In the October-December 2024 quarter, the community libraries, built with the support of ASHA/USAID, enabled 468 individuals to access technology, with more than 56% of them being young people between the ages of 13 and 18. During this same period, 63 individuals accessed technology for the first time, either to use a computer or browse the internet. Of the total technology users for the quarter at these three libraries, 75% conducted online research, 15% engaged with the computers for recreational purposes, and 35% used word processing software.

Forjando Mentes Brillantes Community Library, in El Tejar was built and equipped with support from USAID/ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad). 

Riecken community libraries, with support from USAID/ASHA, will continue to help transform a single building block -- a community library with free computers, internet, print resources and programs -- into a springboard for democracy building, local leadership development, women’s empowerment, civic engagement and social justice in Honduras. Riecken community Libraries are a demonstration and promotion American principles of inclusiveness and equality, civic engagement, free expression and independent inquiry. Together with the USAID / ASHA program, we will give a concrete response to promote community cohesion. 

Riecken Community Libraries are a social platform and an essential space for the social cohesion present in 14 communities in Guatemala and 52 communities in Honduras.