The ASU SolarSPELL Initiative supports offline communities by providing localized libraries and building 21st-century skills that empower people to make informed decisions, increase their self-reliance, and improve their quality of life.

Combining curated digital libraries with solar-powered, offline technology and the training to build information literacy and internet-ready skills in offline environments, SolarSPELL (Solar Powered Educational Learning Library) works closely with in-field partners to identify local information needs, carefully curate relevant content, and continually improve library collections across three sectors: education, health care, and agriculture.

The SolarSPELL digital library mimics an online experience by generating its own offline WiFi hotspot to which any WiFi-capable device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop) can connect to freely, and safely surf the library’s tens of thousands of open access resources. SolarSPELL libraries are rugged and ultra-portable, so they can go anywhere and reach anyone, even the most remote.