The April 2025 reports from the Sumbrungu, Gowrie-Kunkua, and Bolga-Sherigu Community Libraries, in the FAVL/CESRUD network, highlight the educational and social role these libraries continue to play in their respective communities. Across all three libraries, the month was marked by good engagement, regular programming, and a few recurring challenges, notably around infrastructure and resource limitations.
At Sumbrungu, both day and night sessions were highly active throughout April. During April 7–15, patronage spiked significantly as primary and junior high students prepared for examinations. Senior high students also made good use of the facilities during their Easter break. Key daytime activities included individual and group reading, storytelling, educational TV shows, and creativity-based games like Pick and Act. Some patrons’ relatives visited, showing interest in their wards’ learning experiences. The night sessions focused on group readings across different genres, homework help in subjects like Science and Career Technology, and interactive learning through games such as ludo and oware. Educational TV shows were also screened and discussed to deepen learning and awareness. The library faced challenges including overcrowding during peak exam periods and a shortage of textbooks and past exam papers. A total of 32 books were borrowed and all were returned.
Gowrie-Kunkua Library experienced lower than expected patronage due to school vacations and community travel. However, a core group of users remained active, engaging in individual reading, group sessions, dictation exercises, and games like Scrabble and puzzles. The focus was on academic subjects such as mathematics and integrated science, as well as storybooks like Kofi and His Talking Dog. A highlight was the receipt of donations including a laptop, mouse, pen drive, and cleaning supplies, which were acknowledged with gratitude.
The Bolga-Sherigu Library had a particularly active April, recording 859 visits across both day and night sessions. It served as a venue for personal studies, group reading, storytelling, and I.T. classes. Pupils from the S.S. Peter and Paul Academy utilized the space for structured I.T. lessons and evening study support. These activities coincided with end-of-term exam preparation, further boosting attendance. The library also received donations similar to those at Gowrie-Kunkua, aiding in the improvement of the learning environment. The librarian emphasized the busy nature of the month and the library’s ongoing dedication to providing access to information and support to the community.
Recommendations going forward include increasing the acquisition of textbooks and expanding furniture or exploring the use of adjacent facilities to alleviate space issues.