Library for All’s – Digital Camel Library

The Digital Camel Library (DCL) initiative was created to address the issue of providing educational resources in remote areas with limited resources. The initiative encourages literacy and a love of reading among children in Ethiopia's Somali Region, where schools are under-resourced and teachers and books are in short supply. The project has overcome physical barriers and delivered a wealth of educational resources, including stories in local languages, by transforming traditional camel traders and transportation systems into digital library distribution networks.

Ethiopian stakeholders, service providers, and users worked with the Australian DCL design team. Due to the Ethiopian Civil War and Covid 19 travel restrictions, R&D testing was conducted locally with the assistance of local South East QLD Camel Farmers. The final DCL design, which included a next-generation Spark Kit with 40 tablets pre-loaded with the Library for All digital library application, Battery Cases (locally sourced batteries), inverters, and high-capacity solar panels, was easily transportable thanks to a custom-designed aluminium frame. The Camels' comfort while transporting equipment over long distances was ensured by the frame's light weight, adjustability, and ergonomic design.

The Digital Camel Library programme has had a significant impact on remote Ethiopian communities, providing access to previously unavailable educational resources. The custom aluminium frame and Spark Kit were designed to allow for easy and safe transportation, secure storage, and practical methods for updating content and gathering usage data. The programme has established a new standard for using technology to provide educational resources in remote areas. Improved educational outcomes and increased access to digital resources for future generations are among the long-term effects. The initiative has the potential to inspire positive change and contribute to a brighter, more prosperous future.

The following key features have proven critical the Digital Camel Library’s (DCL) success: Firstly, the DCLs custom-designed aluminium frame facilitates transportation of 40 tablets pre-loaded with the Library for All digital library application, batteries, inverters, and high-capacity solar panels. The frame's ergonomic design ensures the comfort of the camels transporting the equipment over long distances. Second, through collaboration between Library for All, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, and local communities, the programme was designed with cultural relevance and sustainability in mind. This ensures that the programme meets the communities' specific educational needs and cultural sensitivities. Thirdly, the programme includes a secure storage solution as well as a local Wi-Fi network for updating tablets with new content and collecting usage data. This ensures that the programme is long-term sustainable and adaptable to changing educational needs. Finally, the programme has had a significant impact on the communities it serves, with improved learning outcomes and increased opportunities for socioeconomic development as a result of increased access to educational resources. The programme has also served as a model for similar initiatives in other parts of Ethiopia and the region, demonstrating the potential for novel approaches to addressing education challenges in remote and under-served communities.