Month: February 2021

February update from Ghana libraries

Paul Ayuretoliya writes: The month of February began well with good attendance being recorded at the community libraries. There has been a noted increase in attendance compared to January. Sumbrungu Community Library as visited multiple times by students and teachers from the St. Charles Lwanga JHS, as well as by students from the Bolgatanga Technical University. Sherigu Community Library was patronized by students from St. Peter Academy, and the librarian Miss Cecilia Adombilla performed an admirable task in repairing many well-read library books. Renovations continue progressing at Gowrie-Kukua Community Library, with the plastering task well underway. As a result, attendance is still rather low at Gowrie-Kunkua for the time being.

Art of a Child book haven

From Emmanuel Anguyo: Art of a Child book haven is a space for children to come together to read, play games, and be a vibrant part of the community. As with all place across the world, 2020 was a difficult year with many challenges. The library was closed on the 18th of March due to the national lockdown and reopened in July. The library received permission from the authorities to run our literacy programs for children and their mothers. All of the literacy clubs were run in adherence to the government procedures that were given. Art of a Child celebrated the International Day of the Girl literacy camp in October with many activities for the local children, including lessons on female empowerment. There is attendance of up to 45% of the local youth population at the book haven, and hope to see that number climb even higher as we continue operations. The library helps keep the community spirit alive during the pandemic with its many literary activities, and help keep the spirit of learning alive with literacy and entrepreneurship skills.

From Uganda, Bugolobi library update

Bugolobi library in Uganda was operating normally in 2020 until the pandemic hit in March. A lockdown was announced and remained in place until June. The library remained closed for the duration of the lockdown. Children were prohibited from the library due to difficulties in enforcing the health and safety measures, but teenagers and adults had access. The library was closed again in October due to the public atmosphere but had become fully operational by January 2021 with health measures fully in place. The librarian faced many challenges, particularly in the difficulty of traveling, but has persevered and made headway in reorganizing the library and adopting good hygiene practices.

Updates from CESRUD/FAVL librarian meeting

From Paul Ayutoliya: The CESRUD/FAVL Ghana staff and librarians end of month meeting was held at the Sumbrungu Community Library the 29th of January 2021. We thank all of our librarians for attending and doing an excellent job in keeping their libraries operational. Sumbrungu Community Librarian Asanga Joseph started the meeting with the impressive patronage of the library and touched on the various activities that occurred. Sherigu Community Librarian Miss Cecilia Adombila also commented on the steady level of attendance and the activities at her library. The Gowrie-Kunkua community librarian, Mr. Nyaaba Wilfred, also reported a good month, albeit with lower than usual patronage due to the library relocation. He did however record low patronage during the month due to the temporal relocation of the library. All librarians have been tasked with ensuring the safety of library patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as innovative strategies to promote reading. Two highlighted books for the upcoming month are The Great Ponds by Elechi Amadi and The Coast of Slaves. The FAVL/CESRUD team would also like to thank all of our supporters for their ongoing care and attention!

January events in the Ghana libraries

Paul Ayutoliya writes:

January began with a group cleaning of our three libraries on the 11th to prepare for our reopening on the 12th. Turnout of course started off low, but picked up as our group reading activities resumed. Our reading this month highlighted two books, Kente for a King, Kanwum and Bunsela and Grooming and Personal Hygiene for the Youth. It is critically important that we take our role as educators seriously, and thus provide both reading for entertainment and for education. We are pleased to state that our patrons are receptive to our activities and lessons, and we hope to continue helping to educate our communities. We would also like to acknowledge the many students of St. Peter and Paul Academy as well as of Dorongo Primary and Junior High Schools that patronize the Sherigu Library. Congratulations to our Sumbrungu librarian Mr. Apenoore Timothy on completing his degree in Civil Engineering from Bolgatanga Technical University! He will be beginning his national service with the Northern Development Authority while assistant librarian Mr. Asanga Joseph Ayingura will take over his role.