International Literacy Day (ILD) is a global celebration initiated by UNESCO back in 1967 to raise public awareness among people and is held on the 8th of September of every year. It emphasises the important contribution of literacy for creating a just, peaceful and sustainable world. The yearly event is a reminder to policymakers, educators, and the general populace on the right to read and write. Literacy is considered a human right that opens doors to all other fundamental freedoms and opportunities that enable one to engage in global citizenship effectively.

To acquire knowledge about peace, equality and respect for other people’s dignity, literacy is a service people first need to have. It is also a means for giving others their knowledge and dignity.

According to the latest statistics from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, global literacy rates have improved significantly. More than 86% of the world’s population can now read and write, a significant increase from 68% in 1979. Despite these advances, a large portion of the adult population remains illiterate. At least 754 million adults worldwide cannot read or write, two-thirds of whom are women. In addition, 250 million children struggle to acquire basic reading and writing skills. These statistics underscore the urgent need for continued attention and investment in global literacy programs. As we celebrate ILD 2024 with the theme “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace”, the focus is once again on using literacy to promote mutual understanding, social cohesion and peace.

picture06 international literacy day bangladesh
Poster for the ILD 2024

According to the Sample Vital Registration System 2023 report, obtained from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the total literacy rate is about 75.5% for rural and 85.4% for urban, amounting to 77.9% overall for those 7 years and older. Libraries have great potential for playing a significant role in enhancing literacy in Bangladesh. Here are some ways in which libraries can help:

  • Libraries across the nation can make sure that free books, digital resources, and educational programs provide opportunities for learning to all people, regardless of their socio-economic status or language background.
  • Literacy is low in rural Bangladesh. Community libraries can help to fill the gap with initiatives like mobile libraries that cater educational materials in areas where formal schooling can be scarce. These libraries can help develop literacy skills amongst children and adults by providing them with the materials to read due to the scarcity of books.

Improvement in the literacy rates among the youth is imperative for long-term success in education and has thus become a gap that libraries have risen to fill. Libraries are trying to make reading fun and engaging for young learners and get them to love reading through hosting storytelling sessions, book clubs, and other reading activities. Such initiatives go a long way in helping children inculcate early literacy habits in life, especially among people whose homes cannot afford books.

At an adult literacy rate of 75.6% among people aged 15+, libraries are very crucial in supporting adult literacy. Public libraries throughout the country can provide literacy classes for adults through collaboration with non-governmental organisations which can help those who have been deprived of formal education. This effort can help increase the adult literacy rate and thus improve their livelihood on a sustainable basis.

Many private university libraries, like Dr. S. R. Lasker Library, East West University, Ayesha Abed Library, Independent University Library, North South University Library, Daffodil International University Library, among others, have started to shape up and restructure their outlook with the requirements of the digital world at the forefront. These have indeed provided digital archives, e-books, and other academic resources for knowledge acquisition to a wider mass. The libraries also provide information literacy programs, which equip users with the necessary skills to navigate online learning platforms, thus further contributing to literacy and employability within a tech-driven world. It should be mentioned that Dr. S. R. Lasker Library, East West University, is actively involved in a lot of activities aimed at popularising the values of the library such as the celebration of international events among the local population. One of the most significant events celebrated by the library is International Literacy Day itself.

  • This year’s theme for ILD is “Promoting Multilingual Education,” stresses on the vital role libraries have in creating environments of learning that is inclusive. With the inclusion of local and indigenous language materials, libraries in Bangladesh can enhance multilingual literacy for language preservation and retention of community identity.
  • In Bangladesh, libraries are increasingly being recognised as community learning hubs. Libraries beyond the above-mentioned ones may have workshops, public lectures and vocational training sessions, therefore becoming a focus of academic and personal development. Rural community-based libraries may depict the contribution of libraries towards holistic community development.

Difficulties and Prospects
Despite the major gains made by libraries in the literacy promotion of Bangladesh, several problems persist:

  • Limited funds hinder many libraries from purchasing new books or maintaining their facilities as well as offering programmes.
  • Many mobile libraries are unable to travel to parts of the rural areas due to a lack of appropriate infrastructures like transportation or Internet connection in certain places.
  • Continued digital divide deters people to obtain knowledge through the available digital and online learning resources and this has spread more into urban centres and lower-middle-class households.
  • One of the major transformations brought by digital technology is that it has changed the way people consume information, which means that libraries must change accordingly if they want to stay relevant and effective.

To address these issues in addition to the improvement of their functioning, libraries should:

  • Advocate for government and private sector support to secure the needed budget for their operation.
  • Embrace digital technologies to expand their reach, offer online resources, and provide digital literacy training.
  • Partner with international and local organisations, schools, and businesses for newer dimensions and greater resource viability.
  • Continue to enlarge their collections of books in the local and indigenous languages and offer programmes that can enhance multilingual education in the schools.
  • Have training programmes to nurture the staff members’ technological abilities and cultivate a growth mindset.

Even though the literacy rate in Bangladesh is 77.9%, and there are ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes, libraries remain critical to achieving literacy goals in Bangladesh. They provide access to vital resources, promote multilingual literacy, and support adult and early childhood learning. As the country celebrates ILD 2024, the role of libraries in fostering mutual understanding and peace through education cannot be overstated.

With further efforts in integrating digital tools and solving existing challenges, along with multilingual resources that are inclusive for all, Bangladesh can create more avenues to nurture its literacy landscape and strive toward a society that is equitable and inclusive.

Contributed by Professor Dr. Dilara Begum, Chairperson, Department of Information Studies and Librarian (In-Charge), East West University and Shaharima Parvin, Senior Assistant Librarian, East West University