Zimbabwe: Librarians association donates books worth over US $ 4000
By Alfred Tembo – ZIMBABWE librarian association (Zimla) donated books worth an estimated value of US $ 5000, to a number of school and private colleges at a colorful event, held in the Midlands capital over the weekend.
The donation courtesy of Zimbabwe Reads Trust (Zimreads), a collaboration of Zimbabweans and international friends who are encouraging the culture of reading by providing reading material and access to information.
The project’ coordinator, Hosiah Tokwe said the association aims improving access to information by facilitating a platform for an objective reading material.
“We want to create a culture of reading that has a supportive base that also looks into facilitating of resources that enable people to gain access to knowledge.” He said
Among the18 schools that benefited from the donation was Regina Mundi High School, St Paul’s Primary school, Chaplain High School, Progressive Christian College, Nkululeko High School and Holy Cross high school and Budiriro College
However the donation held to wrap up the organization’s annual general meeting which attracted over 90 associate members from all corner of the province.
During the meeting various issues were deliberated on, chiefly among them was the need to cope with information and technology (ICT), the organization’s progress, review the trends and opportunities to expand the association, library management among other issues.
The one day long meeting was punctuated by elections for new executive committee that will run the day to day operations of the organization.
The new office bearers are Alphege Mahisiri, for the chairperson, the seat for vice chairperson was taken by Rudo Kisi, Ndlela Dorcas and Makadwa Amato filled the seats of secretary and treasure respectively.
Addressing association member, after taking up office Mahisiri the incoming Chairperson said he will ensure that schools benefits from this organization, citing that libraries are information confluences that needs to be preserved and kept updated in order to cope up with what is happening in other parts of the world.
“As l take up office my priority areas are schools which l will by all means necessary mobilize resources that will help them get proper and updated information at necessary times.
“Since developments of any kind starts in the through researches via libraries and other alternatives sources of information, such institutes needs to be protected and kept way ahead of time if possible.” He said.
Zimla is an organization that was established in 1962, as Rhodesia Librarians Association (RLA) with an aim of represent librarians and keep up with modern trends of the profession. In 1980 the organization changed its name to Zimbabwe Librarians Association to keep up with political developments in the country.
