Feeding hungry minds: grassroots library services in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Describes attempts made in Sri Lanka to provide library services at the grassroots level. The Book Box Project of the Colombo Public Library provides lending and extension services to children living in slums and shanties in the city. About 10 percent of this group are served at present. The resources required to extend the service to all children living in these areas are outlined. It would be more economical to persuade them to use existing branch libraries. A mobile bullock cart library service and a 'barefoot library service' operating in rural areas of the country are also described.