03 Mar 2013

The completion of the Shakawe Community Library and Cultural Centre is a major milestone achievement in the government’s appeal to provide library and information resources to Batswana, especially those in the rural areas.

 

Officially opening the library on February 28 in Shakawe, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mr Shaw Kgathi said that the library has been funded through the generous donation of the Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation of the United States of America (USA), in partnership with the Botswana government.  

 

He said, the family foundation has already donated eight libraries in different rural areas of the country. “Sarah and Bob Rothschild, we thank you for your support and pledge our commitment as government to ensure that these libraries make a difference in the lives of our people.” Mr Kgathi said.

 

The minister told the residents that the library serves as an information resource centre and it will be used as a venue for community meetings and cultural activities

 

“Our view as a ministry is that the modern library should not just provide book lending services, but rather adapt into information resource centre, combining advancement in information communication technologies with cultural preservation,” he said

 

He further said the library will provide computers and internet access so that the community is connected to the rest of the world. For her part, Ms Sara Rothschild thanked the community of Shakawe and government for working cooperatively with them.

 

She said the library serves as an important research tool; therefore she hoped that the community will put it into good use. “I am glad that the library will be able to record the nation’s history, art and culture, drama and more and this will not be used by the new generation only but will be shared with the rest of the world and with more generations to come.” She added.

 

The specially elected councillor Mr Lesedi Boy thanked the Rothschild Family Foundation for their generosity. He said that knowledge is power, therefore the community must make sure that they sign up for the services. 

 

Cllr Boy urged them to take good care of it and said he was happy that the public will have the opportunity to read about what they usually discuss in the council meetings. 

 

However, he noted that the space for the library was small and therefore appealed to the North West District Council (NWDC) Physical Planners to expand the building.  ENDS