Rural Digital Library: Connecting rural communities in Nepal

In Nepal, about 86% of the population still live in rural areas, and are dependent on subsistence agriculture. The information revolution poses particular challenges for knowledge-based services in Nepal. The context within which these challenges present themselves is that of globalization, in a world of increasing disparities between the rich and poor among and within nations. People in remote areas without electricity should not be deprived any longer of access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), if one wants to avoid grave consequences arising from IT illiteracy. Keeping this in mind, His Majesty's Government, Nepal has announced some policies for ICT diffusion in Nepal. The paper presents suggestions for ICT deployment in rural Nepal and the concept of a Rural Digital Library, its technical aspects and cost-effective solutions for rural Nepal. It also identifies some knowledge-based services to deliver to rural communities.