Kigali Public Library now operational

Lack of access to reading material in either electronic or hard copy will soon be a thing of the past for educationists, researchers, readers of all ages after the Kigali Public Library fully opened its doors recently.In an interview with The New Times, Monday, the Director of the library, Jennifer Turatsinze, said since its opening in April this year, the library has carried out public awareness campaigns on radio stations and Rwanda Television to inform the general public about the services and information the library offers.Located in Kacyiru sector, Gasabo District, the library was initiated by the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga and is currently operating under the Ministry of Sports and Culture.Turatsinze said the library opens daily from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm and that several primary and secondary schools around the country have been informed about a visitation programme to learn how the facility operates.She said there have been ongoing education programmes to teach kids how to gainfully make use of the facility, adding that they also organise story telling and reading sessions as well as computer training programmes targeting students who visit the library.According to Turatsinze, the library currently has about 30,000 books, adding that they would continue to stock more books.The library also has a coffee shop and receives grants through various partnerships from different parts of the world and plan to form an inter-library cooperation which will enable all libraries countrywide to share their database. The library also has an internet café from which readers can access the e-library. “We encourage the public to take this library as their own and let them be part of our programme development so that our services meet the needs of the general public,” said Turatsinze.Phoebe Mutesi, a resident of Kimisagara, said the library will help in addressing the scarcity of books in Rwanda and the lack of a reading culture in the country.

National

Kigali Public Library now operational