Assisting school libraries across Ohangwena.

         

Meaningful education cannot happen in a vacuum. Libraries and schools that work together to share their knowledge, expertise and resources between teachers and librarians will be able to reap the benefits of the aggregate's collective experience. While the Ohangwena Regional Library is the flagship resource center of the region, it is by no means the only educational institution and seeks to work in concert with the numerous school and small community libraries across the area. Our imperative is to help build the capacity of these fellow institutions so as to empower the teachers and help give the learners access to quality education resources. This mission is an integral part of the Regional Library's charter and on our staff is a dedicated Schools Librarian, who's sole purview is to work with the librarians of local schools.

          Over the past few weeks she and several colleagues have gone out each day to every corner of Ohangwena region, meeting with principals, and school and community librarians. When the team arrives at a school, the first step is to meet with the staff, to learn about the state of their library and to what extent the available resources are used in the classes to support the curriculum. Next, the sleeves get rolled up and the library is assessed, reorganized, old books are cleaned out, and an updated book catalogue is made. Many school libraries suffer from the lack of a full time a librarian, and when multiple teachers share the work, the diffusion of responsibility can lead to no one taking charge of the library and the resources gong unused. Also many of the smaller school libraries suffer from large gaps in their collection, making the library only useful to some subject teachers, but not others. It is our responsibility as professional full-time librarians to help bring these libraries up to their full potential and instruct the school's faculty on how to fully utilize the resources at their fingertips. We come prepared with a projector and screen to deliver a workshop to teachers on ways to incorporate the books into the curriculum, effectively manage the school library, and encourage their students to take up pleasure reading. The response has been very positive and the teachers are highly appreciative; with a better understanding of the their own libraries, they know they can make their classes more dynamic and engaging for their learners. Over the coming months we hope to continue this rewarding endeavor, reaching out to schools to improve the quality of the education across Ohangwena.    

Welcome to the Ohangwena Regional Library

"If you want to plan for 1 year, plant rice. If you want to plan for 10 years, plant trees. If you want to plan for 100 years, educate children" - Confucius. 

          This ethos has been taken to heart in Namibia. 25 years after becoming an independent nation and emerging from the shadow of decades of South African rule, Namibia has steadily grown, but there are many challenges still ahead. As this nation recognizes the supreme importance of education in lifting its people up and setting the foundations for a meaningful future, huge portions of the government's budget have been allocated for schools and educational resources. To compliment and support this endeavor, The Millennium Challenge Account Namibia has partnered with The Ministry of Education and the Namibia Library and Archives Service. Together they have created three of the brightest new stars in the constellation of Namibia's educational resources: three massive regional libraries and resource centers. Inaugurated in November of 2014, these facilities are located in Gobabis, Oshakati and Helao Nafidi. Empowered with these incredible new tools, the librarians and educators of Namibia have the means to chart their own course forward and offer vastly expanded opportunities for the learners in their communities.    

          I have the distinct pleasure of serving as a librarian at the Ohangwena Regional Library and Resource Center in Helao Nafidi. When I first came to work at the center, I was struck by its two immediately recognizable and remarkable assets. Entering through the main door past the trellises of ivy, visitors are instantly aware they are in a top-tier educational institution. The library consists of two main floors connected by a gracefully curving ramp that creates a spacious open environment. Both levels house the library's collection of thousands of book on all topics; literature for all ages, an extensive reference section, applied sciences and academic textbooks, and everything in between. One can get lost for hours wandering through the stacks perusing titles. The three Namibian national newspapers are always available, as well as a range of popular magazines and periodicals. Gracious furniture and work tables make it easy to spend the day lost in a compelling book, and massive windows create a welcoming bright atmosphere. Fast wireless internet means the world is at your fingertips, and 20 free public computers make technology accessible to everyone. Young students make use of the quiet study halls, and AV equipped conference rooms host community functions. The ICT center's trained staff offers free computer training classes to adult learners. Perhaps the Resource Center's most heartening feature is the extensive children's library, with 16 computers, books and games for all young ages, educational video games, and a large outdoor play yard. The library's air conditioning also offers a welcome respite from the heat of northern Namibia, powered in part by the massive solar panels covering the roof. Being in only its fourth month of operation, the Regional Library will only continue to grow from its auspicious beginning and build the resources it can offer to the public.         

        While the facilities of the library are highly impressive, the center's most valuable asset is unquestionably its staff. The 23 full time professional librarians and ICT technicians are what turns the facility from an edifice of concrete, glass and steel, into an dynamic institution, humming with potential energy. Behind the main circulation desk 4 librarians monitor the in and outflow of materials and guide patrons. The business center's staff facilitate the needs and provides direction for the energies of young entrepreneurs. For those beginning to learn how to use computers, the ICT staff are always there to assist. Three dedicated children's librarians work with dozens of young learners every day, fostering a love of learning and reading. For older students, there is a librarian solely to help with homework and school projects. No matter a guest's needs, there is a librarian to support and assist them. There is even a designated schools librarian, who helps build the capacity of school libraries within the region. All of the staff share the conviction that the Resource Center is an incredible new asset for the community offering tremendous opportunities, to be grown and shared. From my first day working with the team, I knew I was very fortunate to have colleagues who feel not that they have to go to work, but that they get to come to the library each day. From this early stage, it is very encouraging and exciting to imagine and work towards future goals and possibilities.