The population of Zambia as throughout Africa is young. The median age is 16.7, the 5th youngest in the world. Zambia is struggling to cope with the next generations’ complex needs, addressing gender equity, HIV/AIDS, climate change, poverty and lack of opportunity especially for the many who are out of school, disabled, living on the streets and otherwise marginalized.
Public libraries can play an important role in addressing all of these issues, and since 2005 Lubuto Library Partners has worked to show this. Lubuto has successfully challenged narrow perceptions about what a library can be and do through our impactful work with young people in Zambia.
Lubuto Library Partners is a nonprofit organization that has created dynamic, free libraries to support African children and youth, particularly the most vulnerable.
Lubuto equitably welcomes Zambia’s young people in safe, inclusive and joy-filled spaces, giving them opportunities to grow, learn and thrive. We work through our training and administration center in Lusaka adjacent to the flagship Lubuto Model Library to train librarians, teachers and community members, building a network of libraries across Zambia that are owned and sustained locally. With four million visits
5,000 visits per week extraordinary need and how Lubuto Libraries meet it.
Lubuto Libraries vulnerable children disabilities, girls and young mothers and those living on the street.
designing things and I am happy I can do this at Lubuto Library for free. I want to create a brand for mydesigns.”
Lubuto Libraries’ supportive environments feature:
• extensive and accessible collections of the best fiction and informational literature for young people, in English and Zambian languages, and the best print, film and digital media available
• wildly popular programming that has given 25,000+ children education and literacy, social and emotional learning and selfexpression through reading, music, art, drama, technology, mentoring, English and Zambian literacy, Sign Language programming and more
• regular, targeted outreach that ensures that each child in need finds a home in the library
Lubuto’s focus on learning from experience and filling critical gaps in services for young people has informed the evolution of book collections, programming and spaces at the libraries all in direct response to the ideas and needs of Zambians.
We learned of the need for out-of-school young mothers to read and write in English to get jobs, so we started a family literacy program. Then it became clear that children needed care while their mothers learned. We developed a more formal approach to library-based early childhood education and built collections of books for the youngest and now Lubuto Libraries feature a Creative Play Center and a Baby Laptime program with traditional Zambian songs for children 0-2.
Beyond young mothers, Lubuto Libraries have adapted to better support all teens and young adults. We knew that they needed their own spaces, complete with graphic novels, coding classes, video games and makerspaces. Then they quickly took the lead in establishing debate, book discussion and review forums, direct involvement of deaf youth, and becoming “Teen Ambassadors” for Lubuto.
Looking forward, Lubuto’s focus is on maintaining a strong staff, mentoring strong managers to lead and work independently and establishing strong financial management, culture and oversight while continuing to develop responsive and innovative library systems and youth services. Lubuto’s supporters in Zambia, the U.S. and around the world will continue to join hands and keep our promise to give Zambia’s and Africa’s children brighter futures.
Black Panther books and watching the movie afterwards. I learnt and loved how Challa loved his people and
autism so that I can understand myself.”
I think if a girl is good in mathematics she changes the whole society because a girl/ woman is good in teaching and sharing information to others so I wanttobe alecturerin science.”