Developing libraries and promoting reading in Tunisia
The Air Liquide Foundation is supporting COBIAC's project to develop libraries and reading in the governorate of Kasserine. The project consists in training librarians and teachers on the importance of reading, and building up collections of children's books in French and Arabic.
Project Identity
Project initiator: COBIAC | Year of support: 2016 |
Location: Governorate of Kasserine, Tunisia | Sponsors: Rémi Frentz & Khaled BELHIBA, Air Liquide |
Development of libraries and primary schools
There are 16 public libraries and 350 primary schools in the governorate of Kasserine, located in the center-west of Tunisia. Yet according to a study conducted by COBIAC in 2012, despite the existence of infrastructures, reading is not seen as enough of a priority for the country's economic and social development. This is why COBIAC is helping libraries and public schools to compensate for certain deficiencies: unwelcoming facilities, outdated and tatty books, the lack of textbooks in schools, etc. And after the initiatives launched in 2012 and 2014, COBIAC wants to pursue its action in this region and continue contributing to the development of reading in schools and libraries.
COBIAC wants to pursue its action in this region and continue contributing to the development of reading in schools and libraries
Cobiac
COBIAC wants to meet the need for reading areas for children © COBIAC
Providing young people with places to read
COBIAC wants to meet the need, expressed by staff working in cultural and educational centers, for reading areas for children. The emergence of these areas would give these youths a better chance of becoming readers, by developing their reading skills and their desire to learn.
The project consists in:
- improving children's reading areas in libraries
- creating places for reading in schools
- helping to improve book collections
- training the personnel in charge of these areas
The Air Liquide Foundation's contribution
The Air Liquide Foundation is supporting COBIAC by financing the acquisition and delivery of books in French and Arabic, as well as training for librarians and teachers.