In a drive t to make knowledge more accessible and affordable for Rwandans, Longhorn Publishers last week donated books worth $10,000 (Rwf7.55m) to Kigali Public Library.

While handing over the books at a function held in Kigali, the Longhorn Group chairman, Francis Nyammo, said a wel- equipped library is considered an essential part of having an educated and literate population.

"We have donated these books so that we can be part of the mechanism that is empowering Rwandans with knowledge and will continue working with the library now that we have a local presence in Rwanda,” he promised.

Through publishing and donating books, Longhorn works with public libraries because they provide free services such as preschool story time to encourage early literacy and study areas for students and professionals.

It has over 2000 publications in both hard copy and in digital format for all levels – early childhood education, primary, secondary, and tertiary, reference and general readership.

The publishing house has partnered with various organisations like online bookstores, digital platform providers, schools, marketing agencies and governments to avail these books.

"Although public libraries typically allow users to take books and other materials off the premises temporarily, most of them have non-circulating collections. So because all our are books digitised and are available in multimedia platforms, this will help the library in their collection of e-books,” Nyammo said

The director of operations at Kigali Public Library, Amanda Ingeli, said the books will help them in capacity and content.

"We are working towards improving content and encouraging online reading. So with Longhorn’s E-book content, our library will have a lot to offer,” she said.

The Rwanda Library Services Project was started by Rotary Club of Kigali - Virunga. The founders, having recognised ignorance as one major contributors to the 1994 Genocide, decided to come up with this project to contribute to the reconstruction of the country.