Lifelong learning in libraries
March 01, 2004
IFLA -- Unfortunately for Ireland, "learning" is defined as "adult education" and "education" equates to structural buildings, capital grants, pension contributions and other fixed entities. This may be evolving but much needs to be done to establish libraries as a an integral part of the lifelong learning process.
This has to happen, if only because of the critical mass of library resources in the world.
- There are 797 public libraries in Africa, 37,063 in Asia, 20.081 in North American, 3,942 in South America and 205,336 in Europe.
- There are more than 16 billion books, 2.5m CDs and 200,000 workstations for users. At least half of the workstations have Internet connections.
- Across the world, 1.6 billion registered library users can draw on the expertise of 400,000 library staff members.
IFLA -- "The role of libraries in lifelong learning"
UNESCO -- 1999 Statistical Yearbook
Dervala Hanley -- "The Limerick County Library"
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