The Poor State of Libraries

THE VISION of Namibia’s national library is to support education and provide all Namibians and libraries with access to information.

My obligation must be to raise awareness of the total failure to do that at least in the Otjozondjupa region. I am using the Grootfontein library as example:

1. The building did not get overall maintenance for at least 20 years. In all rooms are marks of rainwater from the previous rainy seasons. The librarian reports how they had to try to save books and computers when it rained in the past.

2. Since 1968 the old card registration system for books was in place and worked well in the old administration. Today there is chaos [enclosed photo] on the book shelves.

3. At the time of my visit, one staff member was present and had the task with others to register books in a new system. Until 3 August no books would be given out to the public. Up to date not even 5% of the books to be registered are done.

4. The public hall can’t be used because of two big piles of books. Old books with perhaps educational value are destined for schools?! The other pile of old books is apparently destined for the regional office.

5. One of the public concerns is also the motivation and education [job description?] of the librarian.

From an educational point of view, the public concern is that the learners will not find a functioning library during the school holidays and in the time of the exam semester! It seems a new register and order will not come into effect this year!

Minister of education Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, please understand that I try to give this letter also to the public because no basic interaction between civil society and government takes place otherwise in Namibia.

We have to encourage the public to share their opinions!

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