Children in low-income, postcolonial countries such as Malawi have few opportunities with quality reading materials that promote independence as readers. In this study, we argue that access to locally produced text relevant to linguistic and cultural contexts is a fundamental human right for children throughout the world. Situating this study…

Higher education institutions worldwide are transitioning to electronic books which have become a standard platform in providing reading materials. This study investigated the determinants of the adoption of academic e-books by university students in Nigeria. Results showed that a majority of students were aware of electronic books but only 44.5%…

We examined the joint role of parental word reading skills and conventional home literacy environment measures among 320 Filipino low- to middle-income families in Cebu City, Philippines with children aged 5-8 years old. A ranking of parent-reported ratings of their frequency of engaging in home literacy activities and adult literacy practices…

Access to books is key to learning to read and sustaining a love of reading. Yet many low- and middle-income countries struggle to provide their students with reading materials of sufficient quality and quantity. Since 2008, RTI International has provided technical assistance in early reading assessment and instruction to ministries of education…

This cluster randomized controlled trial tested the impact of school-only and lifewide-learning (LWL) approaches to supporting early-grade learning over 2 years in rural Rwanda. We compare school-only and LWL treatments with a business-as-usual control condition and with each other. Schools in both treatment groups received reading materials and…

This document is intended to help Peace Corps Volunteers and their counterparts identify organizations that might provide books and other educational materials for schools and libraries in their communities. The services described for each organization listed in Section A apply specifically to Peace Corps Volunteers. The services and procedures…

Doctoral holders are considered to be key actors in the creation of innovation and knowledge. However, this generalization may not hold true for doctoral holders in all countries. This study sought to assess the scholarly productivity of these highly qualified individuals in Uganda. The investigation is based on data sourced from the 2012 Careers…

In 19 (sub)samples from seven countries (United States, Austria, Germany, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Vietnam, Brazil), we analyzed the impact of parental education compared with wealth on the cognitive ability of children (aged 4-22 years, total N = 15,297). The background of their families ranged from poor indigenous remote villagers to academic…

Research on the background of the book in Nigeria is outlined. The view is proposed that nationals of developing countries have to bring their own thinking to bear on their book problems if they are to establish effective book-publishing traditions. (3 references) (Author/SJ)

A meeting on book development in Africa was convened by Unesco at Accra, 13-19 February 1968, to help formulate a programme of action. It was attended by participants from 23 African countries as well as from a number of other Member States and international organizations. The meeting was part of a long-range programme adopted by Unesco to assist…

Describes the Ranfurly Library Service, a British charitable institution that supplies books in English to developing nations. The development and organization of the service, financial support, criticisms of the service, the increased involvement of the British Council, and the future of the service are discussed. (CLB)

Relates the author's experiences and thoughts on books and literacy after six months of living and teaching in Zimbabwe. (SR)

The celebration of International Book Year in 1972 provided an impetus to increasing the number of people who read throughout the world. Four themes for that program were the promotion of the reading habit, development of book production and distribution, promotion of books in the service of education and peace, and encouragement of authorship and…

The meeting of experts on book development in Latin America examined the present situation in the region and drew up a programme of action to promote book production and distribution. Experts from 23 Latin American countries participated. One of their major recommendations was that a Book Development Centre for Latin America be established at…

Emphasizing that books are keys to cultural development, catalysts to trade, and unparalleled (but "neglected") ambassadors of American culture, this report points out the need for a new international outlook on the part of the entire United States publishing community. The report calls for a renewed cooperative approach, which would bring…