The Public Library Scandal

THE Windhoek public library has been closed for repairs for almost a year.

I am sure that repairs were necessary but this is, after all, the main library in the capital city of the country and repairs could surely have been completed in less than a year. I spoke recently to the receptionist at the library and she informed me that the repairs are completed but that they are waiting for shelving. It seems that shelving has been outstanding for some time but the library personnel are having no success in obtaining the shelving in spite of repeated requests.It is disgraceful in a country where education is an important means of achieving human development that the public library can be closed for such a long period of time. Everything should be being done to encourage learners to study and increase pass rates with easier (not more difficult) access to learning materials, such as books. The Minister of Education can do something to expedite the completion of repairs and encourage a culture of reading in the populace by the re-opening of the public library. Or is the Minister aware of the problem?Tessa MostertVia e-mail