From Benedict Akana: Schools were closed on the 18th of December and reopen on the 10 of January. Schools have reopen and the Sumbrungu community library is patronized. Today we have received quite a number of pupils into the library and other students from the Bolgatanga Technical University. Some were reading and other were enjoying the play of lido game.
From Benedict Akana, CESRUD library coordinator: I paid a visit to Sherigu Community Library and I want to share with you some pictures and thoughts. The community library has been the center for many children and adults. They come to read and do research work. In one of the pictures you will see two adults using the library for the personal research works. One of them is studying for professional exams (charter accountancy) and the other a master program. I want you to know that FAVL efforts of making the community library a usable environment for reading is fondamental for the local people. The children from the community also find interesting books to read. There are also some works to be completed at Sherigu community library. The front window needs louvre carriers and nettings, there are also visible wall cracks to be worked and other minor repairs to be done.
From Benedict Akana, CESRUD library coordinator: As part of our reading project “bringing the community library to the community schools”, we have been able to reach a lot of children from far and near to read in class using our library books. The head teacher of Gowrie-kunkua D/A primary school has expressed his joy and happiness for this reading project. He affirmed that this classroom group reading has brought great improvement among the children. He made mentioned that, three of the Basic 6 pupils who are now in Basic 7 has scored higher note at their new school in reading and spelling. He encouraged us to keep the project running. He said “if the child refuses to go to the library, the library will be brought to the child in school”.
The event was December 20, 2022, and started with an opening prayer by Madam Jatrude at 10:30am. The library coordinator welcome everyone to the occasion. Next was introduction of invited guest’s library committee and teachers from both circuits. The regional librarian, Mr. Leslie Kasanga then gave a short message. He congratulated the pupils for taking up the task of reading and spelling and asked them to keep it up. He then briefs us about happenings in the regional library. Bolga North Circuit supervisor thanked the sponsors and organizers and asked them to continue to organize such programs, because it brings improvement in the type of results we get in these circuits. The west B circuit Supervisor encouraged the students to keep reading at home. It was now time for the contestants to take their seats and introduce themselves. The quiz master then gave the rules for the competition. And kick start with first round of the spelling. At the end of the first round Bolga North Circuit came out with 45 points and Bolga West B 45 points. At the end of the second round Bolga North came out with 43 points and Bolga West B 43 points. at the end of round three, that is the reading round Bolga North got 26 points and Bolga West B had 30 points. Next was the J.H.S category competition. The contestants introduced themselves and the quiz master started with the competition. At the end of the first round for spelling Bolga North came out with 45 points and Bolga West B 42 points and at the end of the second round Bolga North came out with 42 points and Bolga West B 46 points at the end of round three, that is the reading round Bolga North came out with 25 points and Bolga West B 27 points
The Bolga West B Circuit came out with as winner with 115 points and Bolga North J.H.S category came second with 112 points. The bolga west B primary category came out as winners with 118 points and the bolga north circuit primary category came out second with 114 points. The contestants were awarded certificates, drinks, biscuit, mathematical sets, exercise books, pens and bags. The west B circuit Chair Madam Mercy congratulated the contestants and thanked the sponsors and organizers for such an inspiring and wonderful program. The meeting ended with a closing prayer by Mohammed Awini Abugrago.
From outgoing coordinator Benedict Akana: February 1, I made a visit with Mr Clement Amii Nsoh (in Blue top) the new coordinator of the Community Libraries to the various community libraries in order for him familiarize himself with the library activities. We encouraged the librarians to take up their responsibilities seriously. At Sherigu community library we read and discussed some chapters of a book written by Barrack Obama, “Dreams from my father” and at Gowrie-kunkua community library we read and discussed the book titled “Majeika and the school book week” written by Humphrey Carpenter. We also met some pupils reading in the library. Clement will support the work with the community libraries projects.
From Benedict Akanga: We had an orientation programme on Monday 3rd – 7th of October. Mr Kansanga Lesley the Regional Librarian was the resource person in charge of the induction course. On the first day, we each presented ourselves, and that followed the introduction of the subject of the day. We learnt what a library is meant for and its needs. He reiterated that we have to encourage library patrons to come to the library regularly, “a library should be an interesting place which should catch the user’s interests” he said. Mr Lesley asked us to work very hard because been a librarian or working in the library is a profession and individuals are employed with specific qualifications and experience to work. On the second day, we had to report very early because we had a lot ahead, we started the lesson early, and we learnt about the qualifications of a librarian and personal qualities of a library assistant. We also learnt about categories of library, types of libraries, the Ghana library authority and Information Technology (IT) in librarianship. We also studied about the necessity of IT in the librarianship profession and helping users out with IT tools. We did some practicals of how to shelve books correctly and classified books into their various classes. On the third day, we continued we the discussion of what a mobile library is and how it operates, and the necessity of a mobile library in our various libraries. We learnt studied a lot about the classifications system of books, Mr Lesley took us through the method used is the Dewey decimal classification. On the fourth day, we had only practical activities. We rearranged books and shelved all the books in the library, we tidy up the library too, we learnt how to record new books and how to record borrowed books. How to create book pockets and many more. On the fifth day, we had an Entrepreneurship training worship which was organised by the Ghana Library Authority, for all young people (youth) in and around Bolgatanga on how to create a business Plan and the need to become an entrepreneur and how to become successful in life. Our training with the Regional librarian was interactive and very educative, we really learnt a lot from this training. We wish to thank our sponsors of this training. We promise to put all what we learnt into practice. This will improve the operations of our community library.
Benedict Akana, CESRUD Library coordinator, writes:
Biblionef has partnered with CESRUD to support creating libraries in rural schools. They trained teachers as school library reps of which the coordinator of the community libraries spearheaded in the supervision, and rendered other training programs to teachers as far as motivating reading in rural schools is concerned. And as part the library program this year, CESRUD coordinated a reading festival or competition among pupils from thier various circuits. CESRUD/FAVL collaborates with two circuits giving them all the support needed to assist the pupils in reading, thus West B circuit and Bolga-North circuit. Each circuit has its timetable for their inter-schools primary/JHS competitions. Here are some photos from the latest competition in October.
On the 1st September 2022, I arrived at the library at 8am. I did my cleaning, shelved some books used by the patrons. 14 students from kunkua JHS came to study for their end of year examination (BECE). I shelved the books and closed at 2pm for the day. On Friday 2nd, I arrived at the library at 8am I did my cleaning. Water the trees on that same day mine managing director paid me a visit and we took some photos and played ludo game and I closed 2pm. On Monday 5th, I arrived at the library at 8am. I did the sweeping and shelved the books used by the patrons and water the trees and closed at 2pm. On the 6th of September, I came to the library at 8am, few patrons were around. They helped me to do the cleaning. We did group reading and closed at 2pm. On the 7th, I came to the library at 8am. I did cleaning and water the trees. Few patrons came especially those who are going to write the B.E.C.E examination and I closed at 2pm. On Thursday 8th of September, I arrived at the library at 8am. Few patrons came to the library for their personal studies. They helped me do the sweeping and arranged the tables and the chairs. We did group reading with the book ‘Crocodile Bread’ by Kathy Knowles. I closed at 2pm. On the 9th, I came to library at 8am. I did my cleaning arrange the books, the chair, the tables and watered the trees. We also played game like ludo and closed 2pm. On Monday 12th, I arrived at the library at 8am. I did my cleaning and water the trees few patrons came in to read on their own. We also did group reading and also, game like ludo were also played among the patrons and we closed 2am for the day. And on Tuesday 13th of September, I came to the at 8am. I did my usual cleaning, shelved the books used by the patrons and watered the trees, around 11am I went to the school and met the primary five (5) pupils from Gowrie-Kunkua primary school. We revised what we did before we went for holidays and at 12noon, I went back to the library and closed 2pm for the day. On 14th of September, I cames to the library at 8 am. I did my cleaning with the help of some of the patrons who came to read, I also shelved the books and watered the trees. We also did group reading with a book entitled ‘Emeka`s Gift’ an African storybook. On Thursday 15th of September 2022, I arrived at the library at 8am. I did my cleaning and water the trees. We played games (ludo and oware). I closed for the day at 2pm. And on Friday 16th of September, I came to library at 8am. I swept the library, watered the trees as usual and did other activities. we were play games and had a group reading and closed at 2pm.