ABLE: A unique, boxed library program in Afghanistan that is having a profound effect on bettering Afghan society – one reader, one family, one community at a time.

The idea behind ABLE (ACKU Boxed Library Extension) is as simple as it has been effective: enhance and encourage reading among people of all ages and abilities – but especially among the newly literate – by bringing appropriate, relevant reading materials directly to them. These materials, on subjects that affect their daily lives, enable readers to help themselves.

Since 1996, ABLE has pioneered the support of adult literacy through the publication and distribution of easy-to-read books in Afghanistan's main languages, Dari and Pashto, as well as some in Uzbeki, on a wide range of subjects.

The ABLE mobile libraries are carried – by car, truck, donkey, and on the backs of volunteers – across Afghanistan's rough terrain and placed in high school and community libraries. Each high school library receives 500 books on a variety of subjects ranging from agriculture and health issues to history and literature, along with bookshelves on which to display them. Each community library receives a specially designed metal box which acts as a mobile library with 250 books. ABLE ensures established libraries are updated with new books regularly. The community libraries are placed in various locations selected by the communities they serve, such as clinics, schools, mosques, and shops. The libraries are managed by local custodians and monitored by ABLE staff through regular visits and updates.

The results have been impressive. From June 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020, ABLE updated 277 libraries in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Each of the libraries received 100 new books. The books were selected based on the readership demand. Overall, a total of 56,620 books (from the ABLE publications and newly released books in the market) were provided to 277 ABLE libraries and to over 700 new location. The books were also distributed to different locations during the 2020 pandemic quarantine period through the door-to-door campaign. The door-to-door campaign was covered in media and was very appreciated by the communities.

To meet the demand of new readers, ABLE works with local authors and illustrators to develop and publish easy-to-read, local language books. Books are written by Afghan writers and reviewed by ABLE's editorial board. Each book is no more than 100 pages, and is produced in a pocket-size format. The subjects of the books offer a window into the current needs of Afghans: popular subjects include such practical areas as basic healthcare (eye and dental care, malaria and tuberculosis prevention and treatment), income generation activities (beekeeping, poultry keeping and bicycle repair), computer skills, home management, and earthquake and environmental safety topics. However, book subjects also include history, politics, literature, folklore, archeology, arts, poetry, and children's stories and games. The titles reflect areas of interest identified by communities and schools, and the popularity of the titles is monitored and recorded. To date, ACKU has published 419 high-quality, easy-to-read books for distribution through the ABLE network. Annually, approximately 500,000 visits are made to ABLE libraries.

⇑ top