The Rwanda Library Services (RLS) has introduced a French corner to help French speakers and researchers access French literature.

The Ministry of Sports and Culture in partnership with the Embassy of France, signed the agreement to establish the French corner, last week at the RLS premises in Kacyiru.

"We now have a French corner equipped with French literature books and other equipment donated by the French Embassy. We signed this partnership so that the corner can be recognised,” said the Minister of Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza.

"We also commend the French Ambassador for rewarding Valens Ndayisenga, the first Rwandan to win the just concluded Tour du Rwanda. He received a bicycle and the French Ambassador also expressed interest in supporting cycling in the country,” Habineza added.

The French corner is equipped with resources (print and digital) including iPads, e-book devices, and computers, among others.

The French Corner will avail educational and cultural resources in French both in digital and print format to the general public visiting the library and Rwandans in particular such as schools, teachers, and researchers among others. 

The French Embassy through the French Institute of Rwanda, (IFR) will provide trained staff for the proper running and implementation of the French corner.

In addition, the institute will run programmes for activities like cinema, exhibitions, conferences, meetings, workshops, introduction to the use of iPads and video games and e-readers, among others.

The agreement will run for an initial period of two years and can be renewed and revised at the request of both parties.

The Rwanda Library Services was launched three years ago and, it was a merger of the National Library and Kigali Public Library—an initiative that was championed by the Rotary Club Kigali Virunga.