Changing the narratives about libraries in African countries, #libraryselfie uses social media to create awareness about the importance of libraries as spaces for reading and learning. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has grown and reached participation across eight African countries. Leveraging digital technology, the project drives awareness about the importance of libraries and reading. Through its work, the project encourages people to become library advocates across Africa and championing courses towards community library development in their communities.
I came up with the idea in 2018 when I went to study at the City Library in Abuja. After taking a selfie with my phone in the library, I was thinking that actually a lot of young people have mobile phones, take selfies, and upload them on their social media platforms. So what if they take a selfie in a library and upload it online to create awareness about libraries? That very day, I drafted a concept paper, I briefed my team, we reviewed the plan, consulted and choose a day for implementation. The main objective of #libraryselfie is to increase the visibility of libraries, particularly on social media platforms. We hope that this will result in increased library usage among young people and that this, in turn, will facilitate library development in African communities. — Damilare Oyedele, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Library Aid Africa
Stefanie Kastner, Regional Head of Information at the Goethe-Institut South Africa, says: “Through our network of Goethe-Institutes around the world, each with their own libraries, we have consistently supported reading culture and libraries as important spaces for society. Our collaboration with Library Aid Africa for #libraryselfie is therefore a logical continuation of our work and we cannot wait to see all the great selfies coming in!”
The three winners in each participating country are given prizes to encourage reading culture, library usage, and community-led library projects.
