CREFAL is an international organization founded in 1951 jointly by UNESCO, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government of Mexico as a regional centre for adult education in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. CREFAL’s documentation and information services comprise the Biblioteca Lucas Ortíz Benítez with more than 60,000 titles on education including a section on adult education, a documentation centre specializing in adult education, and a database on adult education and related themes. All these services are accessible via the "Sistema de Boletín Electronico (B.B.S.)".
Areas of Specialization:
Adult education, Education, Lifelong learning, Social sciences
User Profile:
Researchers; academics, adult educators, students, policy–makers, NGO’s
Quinta Eréndira Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 525 col. Revolución
C.P. 61609 Pátzcuaro, Mich. Mexico
Information Services Provided
Local lending services plus inter–library loan; searches in computerized database and in Internet; provision of bibliographical and other information. Online library
Publications Produced
2 Periodicals: “Revista Interamericana de Educación de Adultos”, “Desicio” 6+ books yearly
Special Activities
Preparation of bibliographies; analysis of documents on adult education and related subjects
Challenges and Obstacles in Carrying out the Work
Financial limitations in organizing and controlling bibliographical information
Strategies and Perspectives to Improve Services
Automatization of all documentation and information services in order to allow direct access to information; facilitating access to databases via Internet
Role envisaged within the Network of Networks
Provision of CREFAL’s databases on adult education; provision of bibliographical information on adult education in Latin America and the Caribbean
