Eastleigh library
Basic Information The Eastleigh Library opened in November 2002. The British Army aided us in creating the library. They also paid for re-wiring, damp proofing, made all the shelving, and provided the carpet. The army staff trained the youth of Eastleigh library in all of these skills. When the library building was ready we added the library book stock. This was donated by the British Royal Air force. 4 members of MYSA staff were trained in library classification, colourcoding, A- Z, and cataloguing. The staff were later trained in storytelling using books - where English is a second language. Challenges -The library is housed in a rented building. Unfortunately the landlord doesn't maintain the building and also increases the rent on a regular basis. -We have had raw sewerage flowing through the building twice in two years. The building is riddled with damp, has very little natural lighting, and no flow of air to prevent damp. -We need to find land which we can build a purpose built library and will support the population. -We have found land in the Eastleigh, but the costs within this area are extremely high: - over 4 million Kenyan Shillings for land alone. The building we need can be built in two stages; - the first floor being the children's library, office, and activities room. The second floor - which can be added at a later date as finances allow- comprising the adults library, a quiet reading/ seminar room, and a computers area. Each floor currently will cost 5million Kenyan shillings to build. -Initially the library staff often did not turn up for work but since we started pay they began to come. We need donor help to support this as well. We are still trying to acquire more books in Arabic for the library's Somali population. November 2007 Challenges:- - mishandling and mis-shelving of stock by users - Members not being able to use the catalogue cards properly - Lack of enough space due to the large number of children using the library - particularly during class visits by schools. - Loss of some books -Members are asking for internet access, which we do not have - Lack of reading space - stock gaps- for example African materials - Power shortages - Insufficient water supply - Sewerage blockage in the office Achievements: Increase in number of users Increase in Muslim members- both children and adults Positive impact on the community from community members, head teachers and parents Trained over 200 children in computer skills to date. Visitors- November 2007 We had visitors from Norway, Germany and at the same time Czech Republic as well as Canada and USA, they all gave positive remarks concerning the initiative and some gave some books to the library	December 2008 Eastleigh centre has been refurbished! It is now re painted, and spreads through 4 rooms: one for children's story books, another for children's information books, another for adults fiction titles (which we have just arranged into Romance, Thrillers, War, Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy, and General Adults Fiction.), and the last for adults information books! School Visits to the library In November we only had 2 schools visiting due to national exams. Now schools have closed until January. Lending Programme In November only 30 users have benefitted from lending. This is because, as we were moving stock we felt it was best to keep all stock in the library. Lending to Schools We did not do any school loans this month (November) Library Clubs and Activities BookReading / Creative Writing Club The kids have been involved in their daily activities and are happy to be back in the library now we are open again! Drama Club The kids are working on a drama called 'Men Abuse on the Women' Art, Drawing and Painting Club Most of these kids have noow joined Haba Na Haba art club and are operating form Haba Na Haba building close ot the library. Computer club This month of November only 50 kids were trained in basic computer skills. Membership: TOTAL 6,070 Adult men 700 Adult Ladies 660 Boys 2,520 Girls 2,180 School use We have 30 primary schools, 29 secondary schools, and 25 institutes of higher education using our library Library Clubs and Activities May 08 School visits 5 schools have been coming for the class visit programme Membership Lending Programme Many children are now borrowing every evening- and returning their items! Book Reading/Creative Writing Club The children who participate in this club also help to maintain the library. The library organised a book reading competition for 2 participating schools.. aiming to promote and develop the reading culture in the area. The club introduced some new children to the library, who were excited about library activities. Drama Club The same children as in the book reading club attend the drama group Art, Drawing and Painting We are facing challenges here due to lack of materials; We hope to purchase materials in June 08. Computer Club 40 children and 10 adults were trained in basic computer skills November2007 Library Clubs and activities -Reading Club:-UPDATED! The creative writing kids have been meeting on Saturdays and have been involving themselves in storytelling and at the same time creative writing. They have also been trained on basic computer skills and are all able to use the computers type and save their work without difficulties. They will be working on writing of poems and coral verses as from next month. Story telling sessions appear to interest many children coming to the library as they enjoy listening and telling of stories. This month we encouraged the kids to tell stories in Kiswahili which was so interesting. UPDATED! -Bookending Programme: - This month, the number of users borrowing books has increased as students introduce their friends to the library. The lending services will continue until the mid of November when the students will be closing their schools. We have not yet been facing challenges on book getting lost though large number of books needs to be repaired. Lending to Schools UPDATED! This month, we did not have a chance to lend books to schools due to the increase in number of users lending books. Drama group The drama group and music groups are currently not running as we are training up the book- reading club in acting and singing. Art club UPDATED! · The art club kids are doing fine and that they are getting lots of support from the seniors and have been engaging themselves actively on painting and drawing mostly on Saturdays. Most of them have joined the haba Na haba art club and will be working with the other kids to nurture their talents. Computer club.UPDATED! This month (October), we have seen many children getting skills on computer usage, they enjoy using the computers. This month over 100 children were trained on basic computer skills by other club leaders. -The library staff visits local schools to tell about the library and tell stories. We have also recently followed Mathare North and started subject categorisation of the adult’s fiction. We now have a romance collection which is VERY popular! 'Thrillers' section was introduced in July, and is proving popular!! Horror, fantasy sections will follow we hope if we can find category labels. School class visits This month, we have managed to work with six schools all primary schools. They have been visiting the library on the weekdays and have benefited a lot form the free resources and services rendered to them. The students upon coming to the library are shown on how to handle the books, open the pages, pick the books from the shelves and also returning them to their respective shelves and also the basic computer skills. With less supervision, the students enjoy every single moment in the library.
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