Seke, Zengeza and St Mary’s libraries cater for mostly primary and secondary school students. Seke Library, which supports close to 160 students per session, needs to replace books that are no longer relevant to students’ syllabus.
The government established community libraries in both urban and rural areas countrywide soon after independence as a way of addressing colonial educational imbalances.
Community libraries act as information conduits for communities who do not have ready access to sources of information.
An official working at one of the libraries, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Our furniture is old because we have not received any new furniture in a very long time. We have tried engaging the city fathers to no avail. We rely on donations from our personal friends because otherwise students will end up sitting on the floor.”
The official highlighted that there were stacks of books at one of the libraries in Chitungwiza that cannot be used because they are “outdated”.
“The central distribution centre, which receives books on behalf of community libraries, selects all the good books and we receive those which students and the community cannot use,” said the official. Zimbabwe Library Association National Executive Council President, Tendekai Gift Bhowa, said there was a need for civic and central government intervention to revive community libraries.
“Community libraries face extinction because of financial constraints. Dilapidated furniture and irrelevant books are a common feature at these very important institutions,” he said. Chitungwiza Town Council Clerk, George Makunde referred all questions to the Deputy Housing Director, Takesure Muronzi, who could not be reached for comment.
Post published in: News