Open Library for Local Learning Communities

The Open Library for Local Learning Communities (OL3C) is a large project that MAFLT has been asked to take a major role in by Wycliffe / SIL (Gary Simons, Chief Research Officer), Shell books (Mike Trainum, CEO), and ARCA Associates (Peter Clark, CEO). The purpose of the project is to facilitate the development and distribution of SALT, LIGHT, and Multilingual Learning Resources for limited literate education needs around the world. Several documents and audio sessions are attached to explain the project by the key initiators from Wycliffe and ARCA and Shellbooks.

The first attached document #1 gives an introduction to the OL3C project with an early initial proposal. By the end of the three year project the following four outcomes are expected:

• Shell book Creation: Hundreds of resource shells are available in Shell book format for localization by local learning communities, and thousands of localized editions are available to demonstrate the success of the approach.
• Library System: Development agencies and local learning communities alike are using the Open Library for Local Learning Communities (OL3C) to share both resource shells and localized editions.
• Training Development: Development agencies and local learning communities have access to the training they need for creating resource shells, making localized editions, and using the Open Library.
• Community of Practice: A self-sustaining consortium of all the agencies participating in the OL3C is functioning as a community of practice to share results, promote best practices, establish standards, and make strategic decisions regarding the future of the OL3C.

The specific tasks and responsibilities to accomplish these goals are given in attached document #2. OL3C Preliminary Plan. In this document the detailed objectives that MAFLT has been asked to be responsible for are given in 1.1a through 1.1L. We are being asked to manage the development of the online open library that will allow worldwide multilingual sharing of shell book and PDF resources. The online library will facilitate the search for and downloading of existing resources in major trade or national languages so that they can be contextually moved to local heart language resources and uploaded to the online open library.

A preliminary model of this functional concept has been created and is located at www.worldvision.ol3c.org This pilot site will guide you through the extensive shell books resources it contains and gives access to. This is mean to only be a concept example and not a GUI design for the OL3C project. It is an example of a tailored agency portal within OL3C.

There are many issues to consider like governance and funding for the project which will be covered separately.

Mike Holman
MAF Learning Technologies
Ministry Development