Conference Paper: “LEAP From Pilot to Scale: Embedding Digital Reading within the Kenya National Library Service”

The following paper will be presented at the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations ) WLIC 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the end of August.
Title
LEAP From Pilot to Scale: Embedding Digital Reading within the Kenya National Library Service
Authors
Rachel Heavner
Worldreader
Zev Lowe
Worldreader
Joan Mwachi-Amolo
Worldreader
Source
Library.IFLA.org
Abstract

Mobile technologies have become more normalized for data collection, education for displaced communities and interventions at a distance. Yet, questions remain around how to effectively bring these technology interventions from pilot efforts to broad scale adoption. Worldreader is demonstrating operational success in its digital reading programs in Kenya. In 2014, Worldreader, in partnership with the Kenyan National Library Service (knls), launched its digital reading program, called LEAP (Libraries E-reading Activities Partnership) in eight libraries. By December 2017, LEAP had successfully scaled to all 61 public libraries in the country.
This paper outlines five key insights for moving from pilot to country-level scale:
1. Start slow, start smart
2. Leverage economies of scale
3. Step by step: Implement in phases
4. Manage change: Creating a unified vision of success
5. Implement sustainability from the start. These learnings can inform others leveraging technology to improve education around the world and contribute to strengthening an effective, responsible and efficient ecosystem of technology-enriched educational programs.

Direct to Full Text Article
10 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Data Files, Journal Articles, Libraries, National Libraries, News, Public Libraries