Services of libraries and reading in Mali

Abstract

This paper discusses the status of library services and reading in Mali. Following an introductory section that provides miscellaneous data about Mali, the first section of the paper describes the development of libraries in Mali before the colonial period, during the colonial period, and during the independence period up to 1977. The libraries of the public reading network operation are highlighted, including library collections (i.e., books, audio-documents, and oral tradition gathering), use, and the library-wagon. The next two sections address secondary/advanced and primary school libraries. The national languages libraries are covered in the fifth section. The sixth section discusses the rural audio-libraries, including results of an analysis of benefits and problems. Actions to encourage reading and creating are described in the next section, including workshops on writing and illustrating children's books, the creation of the Bamako Editorial Committee, publication of cloth-binding books, an annual book fair, and the Autograph Project to finance authors and editors. The ninth section considers reading difficulties, including illiteracy and socio-economic factors, as well as the weakness of local publishers and the book distribution network. The final section addresses prospects, focusing on a project on book and reading assistance in Mali.