MOROCCO LIBRARY PROJECT
INSPIRING LITERACY, BUILDING FRIENDSHIP
We develop English libraries at public high schools in rural communities of Morocco. OliveSeed founder Barb Mackraz started Morocco Library Project (MLP) in January 2014, and we now manage it within OliveSeed, where it continues to grow. These libraries are primarily in Amazigh communities in desert and mountain areas, where we collaborate with teachers and students to understand the local context and curate an enjoyable collection for them. Working with after-school English clubs, we also codevelop project-based programs including creative writing and the collection of oral stories.
What began as the "Purple Library" in Erfoud has blossomed into 30+, including a mobile library in the Sahara. Our mission is to help teachers inspire a love of learning and culture of reading, and to spark an exploration of the positive possibilities ahead for this generation. It's a privilege to work in this part of the world with teenagers who never previously had books for pleasure reading but are embracing this resource with all their hearts.
FIND STUDENT BOOK REVIEWS & VIDEOS ON THE MLP WEBSITE
2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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NETWORK OF LIBRARIES IN THE ZAGORA REGION (with the U.S. Embassy in Morocco)
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PILOT
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6 NEW ENGLISH CLUB LIBRARIES
GOALS FOR 2020-21
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THE 1ST CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION (more)
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THE 1ST PUBLIC LIBRARY (it'll be in Biougra)
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FOCUS ON THE RIF FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES
The Impact on Girls
MLP is for all students, boys and girls alike, and we feel strongly that it should be. But it is having an especially profound impact on girls. In some rural regions of Morocco, female participation in secondary school is as low as 26%. By contrast, these English clubs with libraries are over 60% girls, who are embracing the supportive environment and the extra-curricular learning activities of the library. As teachers often tell us, "Girls love to read!" And they report that once their club has a library, more girls get involved.
"Imagine a school without a single book on a poor shelf! That was my school... so keep imagining, creating a library in a school where there is no place called library. What might seem to be a little for some is really a treasure to others."
~ Abdelhaq Elkouar, New High School, Erfoud
What's in the Libraries?
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A breadth of high-quality fiction and nonfiction for all reading levels. After consulting with the teacher on their needs and interests, we buy books in the U.S. at an educator's discount and ship them.
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Classic and modern literature, including contemporary young adult novels that touch on current themes. This includes world literature, especially from Africa, both North and Sub-Saharan.
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Poetry, essays, and folktales from around the world.
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Great books for learners, such as the Who Is / Who Was series. We sometimes include children's picture storybooks too.
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Picture-rich nonfiction about nature, science, inventions, and architecture; and biographies of inspiring people who have done positive things.
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Writing from students, including their own creative short stories and tales they collect from their elders. We publish these writings — and the beauty is that we have a place to put them.
"A school without a library is like a body without a soul."
~Meriem, age 16
