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Kalahari
Library Project
established in 2007 to support
schools in the Moshaweng Valley of South Africa
We want you to Adopt a Library! What is the Adopt a Library in the Kalahari
Programme?
Increased literacy means: • Increased
earning capacity
• Lower birth rates • Longer life span • Improved health How Will Your Donation Help?
Your donation to the Adopt a Library Programme will assist students in 14+ schools in the area by: • Helping us to set up and maintain school libraries in all K-12 schools in the area; • Supporting literacy development through the purchase of a wide range of library books and literacy materials in English, the language of instruction; • Providing access to materials in the native language of the local people; • Providing library furniture such as tables and chairs and library shelving; • Training teachers in the teaching of reading and student information skills; • Providing access to a computer and online resources that will teach students practical research skills; • Promoting literacy and the joy of reading in the school and in the wider community where, at present, public libraries do not exist. How does the Adopt a Library Programme Work? This is an important programme in which anyone can participate. You, your school or a group of schools can help to fund a School Library in the Kalahari in a number of ways. You can choose to adopt your Library and help the children in the Moshaweng Valley by contributing as follows: 1. Adopt a Whole School Library Through this programme, you, your
school or your group will help to set
up and provide ongoing support for the whole of a School Library. You
can choose an Elementary, Middle or High School Library and supply the
funds necessary to prepare the rooms and purchase the books, materials,
shelving furnishing etc. that will give the children in your chosen
school access to the wonderful experience that a School Library can
provide. Initial costs to set up the School
Libraries:
Elementary School – €10,000 ( $15000 US)* Middle School – €12,000 ($18000 US) High School – €14,000 ( $21000 US) 2. Provide Library and Literacy Materials for a School Library If you can donate a specific amount of money, we can purchase some much needed resources for the Libraries. Since Library books are scarce or non existent in these schools and learning resources are limited, you can make easily make a difference to the learning environment. Here is the approximate cost helping these schools by donating funds for specific items: A set of general encyclopaedias – €700 ($1000 US)* Literacy materials – €1000 ($1500 US) Reading materials (Paperback Fiction) including class sets – €1000 ($1500 US) Reference materials – Atlases, Dictionaries, etc. – €800 ($1200 US) 3. Help to Purchase Computer/Audio Visual Equipment and Software An important part of any Library is the technical equipment required to access visual/digital media. Although Internet access in the Moshaweng Valley is limited and expensive, it is imperative for these students, especially senior students, to experience on line research. Your donation can help students to access the many digital/visual resources that we take for granted. You can provide this access by providing funds for the following: A Library/Research Computer Station – €800 ($1200 US)* A Large Screen TV/ DVD Player for Audio Visual Presentations – €1200 ($1800 US) Software to Assist with Electronic/Online Research – €1000 ($1500 US) Printers and Peripherals for Computers – €500 ($800 US) 4. Chairs , Tables and Other Furniture for Libraries and Library Materials Although there is space available in every school to accommodate a Library, the furniture required is not available. Students often sit on the bare floor or have to carry chairs from other rooms. These Libraries will only require basic furniture but there is a cost attached. Also, a variety of Library materials and equipment will be required in order to process and repair books. Here is how you can help by providing the funds necessary for these items: A Set of Chairs (40-50) – €1000 ($1500 US)* Library Tables for Student Work – €1500 ($2300 US) Computer Desks for Research Stations (4-6) –€ 500 ($800 US) Library Materials for Book Processing – €500 ($800 US) 5. Here are some other ways in which you may be able to help • Volunteer: There are volunteer opportunities to help out in the schools or in the Robert Moffat Library • Book Donations: Although it is difficult and costly for us to accept used books, you can arrange for donations of books to these schools through various South African Agencies, such as Kalahari.net • International School Involvement: Your school can get involved in the Kalahari Experience Project. Contact Ambrose Kelly Ambrose_Kelly@fis.edu for details. • Other ways to help? We would welcome other suggestions on how we might provide school libraries and library resources in these very needy schools. *Every effort will be made to secure tax-exempt receipts for all donations. Who is coordinating
this project?
 John Caldwell, Volunteer Library
Consultant, is from Victoria British Columbia, Canada. He is a school
library
consultant and until recently was engaged as a teacher-librarian
at
St. Michael's University School, an Independent School in Victoria. He
is also an Instructor in the Faculties of Education in two Universities
in his home Province. As well as volunteering in the Kalahari
Experience Project, he has done volunteer work for schools and a
Teachers' Centre in Cuba. John has presented workshops across Canada
and received Provincial and National awards for his contribution to
School Librarianship. |
