[9]Beyond Access is a global community of public library advocates and practitioners who believe libraries are an untapped resource in addressing the world's most pressing development challenges.
The Beyond Access campaign aims to dramatically advance the field of Libraries and Development by fostering widespread awareness around the untapped potential of libraries to contribute sustainable access to information.
Development in the 21st century demands access to information. At a time of tight budgets, libraries offer a more efficient, smarter way of doing development. Most countries around the world, regardless of their size or level of development have public libraries. Beyond Access is starting a movement to make them all hubs for economic and social change. We believe that libraries power development.
Beyond Access is an initiative of IREX, EIFL, IFLA, Makaia, The Asia Foundation, Facilitating Change, Development Gateway, TASCHA, The Riecken Foundation, and READ Global, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Host a conversation: By hosting conferences, salon discussions, and participating in international events, we ensure that libraries have a seat at the table during development discussions. We also collect and publish examples of how libraries are already contributing to development goals.
Assemble a community: We seek out and find the world's cutting-edge librarians and bring them together to share ideas and knowledge. Beyond Access does this through funding, travel, and training opportunities.
Provide expertise: By working with countries, we help them identify ways that public library systems can support development goals. Beyond Access helps plan pilot projects, support training initiatives, and provide technical assistance.