Bloom Library

Usability & Features

Operating system

• Windows

Hardware

• Computer
• Printer (optional)

Connectivity

• Online
• Offline

Accessibility features

Automatic leveling and decodability, SL Video, Audio, magnification, content filtering/distraction reduction, export to other platforms, text to speech, publicly available usage statistics, reading comprehension questions. For additional accessibility features, see the Feature Matrix.

Accessories needed for use in schools and learning spaces

• Headphones
• Projector
• Projector Screen
• Voltage Converter

Other Features

• See Bloom’s Feature Matrix

How to use to support learning

To support learning, Bloom Library provides access to supplemental and co-curricular reading materials in more than 531 languages and across multiple levels. In the classroom, Bloom Library can be used by teachers to print books for their class in the language of instruction or to show books on a screen using a projector or in pairs or centers when devices are available. Children can view 12,000+ books already loaded on devices or printed, they can read books themselves, or have audio books read to them while following the text, or sign language video.  At home, Bloom Library can be used by parents to support their children’s reading, even if they are not literate or use a different langauge at home than the language of instruction. 

Costs

• Free Tier – Bloom is free to use, general training is available for free via the training videos.
• Subscription Tier – Bloom Enterprise is a paid service offered by SIL LEAD which adds additional features and services to Bloom that are particularly important to organizations. By purchasing this service, organizations can meet their unique needs while also supporting the ongoing maintenance and development of Bloom so that it can remain free for individual users.

Settings & Context

Settings

• School
• Home
• Informal Learning Spaces
• Community

Target Populations

• Teachers
• Parents
• Children
• Project Implementers

Current Language(s)

• 500+

Geography (locations)

• Global

Research & Case Studies

• Reading Networks using WhatsApp in Guatemala
• ACR – Yumi Read Together (PNG)
• World Vision – Unlock Literacy (Malawi) 
• USAID – Okuu Keremet! – (Kyrgystan)
• USAID – ABC+: Advancing Basic Education (the Philippines) 
• BEC – Western Province elearning Project (PNG)                                             
• 6USDA – Guatemala Ministry of Education (Guatemala) 

Related Training Materials, Toolkits & Resources

Training

• Bloom Training Videos 

Guides/Toolkits

• SIL LEAD’s Bloom training manuals, guidelines and more
• USAID’s Book Write-a-Thon Toolkit
• Local Stories Fast: 10 Steps to Helping Communities Create Early Reading Materials With Bloom
• Bloom 6 minute overview