ASU SolarSPELL Initiative
What we do
The ASU SolarSPELL Initiative empowers offline communities globally by providing localized libraries and building the 21st century skills people need to make informed decisions, increase their self-reliance, and improve their quality of life.
We work closely with local partners to identify information needs, curate relevant content, and continually improve our collections across three sectors: education, health and agriculture. The SolarSPELL (Solar Powered Educational Learning Library) digital library mimics an online experience by generating its own offline WiFi hotspot to which any WiFi-capable device can connect to freely, and safely, surf the library’s tens of thousands of open access resources.
Localized libraries
Diverse collections feature open source, multimedia content curated to meet local needs.
Solar, offline technology
Rugged, portable and compatible with any Wi-Fi enabled device, our libraries can reach even the most remote.
Train-the-trainer model
Hands-on training gives communities the tools they need to use their library to its fullest potential.
Impact evaluation
Thorough impact evaluation helps us continuously improve our libraries to better meet user needs.
612
Libraries implemented
15
Countries served
1,092
Trainers trained
420,000
Learners reached
News & updates
Intern reflection: Designing UX for Impactful EdTech
Dec 9, 2024
“The field of education technology (EdTech) is uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in learning and accessibility across the globe. During my time as a UX (User Experience) designer…”
SolarSPELL expands to eight more schools in NE Syria
Nov 27, 2024
More than 600 students & teachers in NE Syria have now used SolarSPELL libraries to support their studies & professional growth, and after an overwhelmingly…
Offline digital libraries for education in emergencies
Nov 12, 2024 | JITE:IIP
This article explores SolarSPELL as a case study to argue that offline digital educational approaches can be more effective at providing education in emergencies than…
Contribute to our efforts
Give today and join our community of SolarSPELL library patrons. With your one-time donation or ongoing financial support, your gift empowers learners globally by providing access to localized information paired with the training for long-term success.
Our partnerships
SolarSPELL’s work would not be possible without multiple partnerships and collaborations with organizations such as Peace Corps, UNHCR, and Voice of America. Our partners span multiple focus areas, from in-field implementation to library content, and more, as well as include collaboration with government ministries.
Our largest in-field implementation partner to-date is Peace Corps, with whom ASU-SolarSPELL signed a Global Strategic Partnership in May 2020. This partnership facilitates collaboration with Peace Corps posts around the world to meet information needs across sectors. ASU-SolarSPELL’s partnership with Voice of America, enables SolarSPELL to bring high-quality English language learning content to learners globally.
SolarSPELL is always seeking new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration to sustainably implement localized digital libraries in the hardest-to-reach locations.
Awards and Achievements
SolarSPELL has been recognized by organizations around the world for our innovative approach to addressing significant social, educational and global issues.
2020 MIT-Solve TPrize Challenge Finalist
2019 Tech4Islands Awards Finalist
