Multi-purpose Community Learning Centres (Gonokendros)

Multi-purpose Community Learning Centres or Gonokendros started in 1995 as community libraries as part of the Continuing Education programme. They are established with BRAC and community financing. Within one year of establishment, Gonokendros are registered as Trusts and become self financing in terms of operating expenses. Open to adults, children and students, they also provide IT and other training in a range of trades (computer, electronics, livestock rearing, horticulture, fish culture, poultry etc.) in collaboration with the Department of Youth Development.

Gonokendros contain at least 1,000 books, popular magazines, daily newspapers, and are usually managed by locally recruited women librarians. The Gonokendros provide an intergenerational meeting space and offer a number of services for adults, children and students. They also preserve local historical items, operate mobile libraries for women and the elderly and run a Children’s Corner.

A most remarkable achievement is that a large number of semi-literate women have become regular readers. Recently, Internet services have been introduced in ten Gonokendros in collaboration with bracNet.

In collaboration with the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Multipurpose Community Learning Centre also arranges skill development training for the youth to improve the socio-economic condition of the rural communities.

Features

• Total Libraries (Gonokendros): 2,349
• Total Members: 10,17,234
• Total Members of Mobile libraries: 28,877 (640 mobile libraries)
• Total youth members received training: 67,604 (56% female)
• Area Covered: 353 Upazilas of 60 Districts