12 Oct 2014

Deputy director of Library Services, Ms Gaorere Kgotla has commended residents of Mathathane in the Bobirwa Sub -district of living the vision pillar of an ‘Informed and Educated Nation’.

Speaking during the official opening of the Mathathane village reading room on Saturday, October 11, Ms Kgotla said the project which was facilitated by a US Peace Corp volunteer Ms Hollis Carter would serve as a “momentous project for the village and the surrounding areas.”

Ms Kgotla said for the villagers to be involved in the project of constructing the reading room meant that they were eager to gain knowledge through reading which was key in modern times.

She said knowledge was key in development process adding that no village or area could develop without the library where people could update themselves. 

Ms Kgotla said government realises the importance of reading and learning hence its commitment to building libraries in each and every village.

She said before the country got independence, there were no libraries and the first library was built in the capital city in 1968 and to date there are 104 libraries country wide.

The deputy director urged residents, young and old, business community, teachers and other stakeholders to utilise the facility as libraries were not built for children but for every person to equip themselves with knowledge and skills. 

The project came to being after Ms Carter the US Peace Corp volunteer solicited funds from various stakeholders. Ms Kgotla however asked residents to seek funds for the provision of internet and computers at the library. 

Outlining the project objectives, the village advisory chairperson, Mr Albert Legwaila stated that the reading room was a milestone in the development of the village.

Mr Legwaila said the reading room would facilitate the culture of reading among the young and the old.

He commended Ms Carter who spearheaded fundraising activities for the project and said through the involvement of Ipelegeng workers the facility was completed.

Mr Legwaila said Ms Carter’s two-year mission in Botswana has since expired and was given a grace period to compete the project which he defined as a legacy that Ms Carter will leave for Mathathane residents and Batswana at large.

For her part, Ms Carter said, she realised that the village needed a library and applied for a Community Peace Corp grant and asked for funds from various people.

She said the community contributed 25 per cent towards the project while Ipelegeng programme also provided support. 

Ms Carter said during the construction, they got support from Books Botswana, African Library who contributed books, Legodimo Wilderness, Voice of America and the business community. ENDS