05 May 2022

The Rothschild Family Foundation has delivered the 18^th community library and cultural centre to Rakops in Boteti East.

The library  is one of the 20 that  the foundation had pledged to build in partnership with the government through the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding.

“The initial agreement with the Rothschild’s ended in 2016 but we thank God that the partnership went past the specified ten years,” said the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Mr Tumiso Rakgare when handing over the library facility to the Rakops community on Wednesday.

Mr Rakgare said libraries were the heart of the communities where information was shared and topical issues discussed.

He said public libraries had grown and evolved along with society by adopting new technology and offering resources tailored to the needs of the local community.

Libraries, he said, also promoted and preserved cultural heritage and provided access to government services such as e-declaration of taxes, e-banking, distance learning and job/tender opportunities among others.

Mr Rakgare further explained that the worth of public libraries extended far beyond the books they offered as libraries also provided access to computers and internet and Wi-Fi connections, tutoring and child literacy programmes.

“We need to dispel some myths about libraries that they are only for school-going children. Contemporary libraries like this one provide customised and packaged programmes ideal for both adults, youth and children,” he said.

Furthermore, he said there was provision for those with special needs and those who preferred audio-visuals like television and radio, urging the leadership of Rakops and surrounding villages to visit the library and provide advice to members of the library on how best to meet community needs.

Mr Rakgare appealed to both educators and learners to use the resourceful facility to improve the pass rate of their schools.

“The success of this library is determined by the extent of its usage. We thank the Rothschild family for this gesture,” he said.

The facility includes an outdoor stage which was an extension of the library sitting place. It is ideal for arts and culture events, study groups, public lectures as well as playground equipment where children can play a variety of games that promote social values.

The library operational times have been extended from weekdays to weekends; from 9am to 6pm and open from 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.

For his part, Mr Robert Rothschild of Robert and Sarah Rothschild family foundation thanked the library committee for their contribution in delivering the project.

He urged the leadership of Rakops and surrounding villages to encourage residents to make use of the library, adding that the library was for everyone.

He said the library was not a place to keep quiet and read books, rather it was also a place to meet and discuss.

He said if they managed to raise funds, they would build a conference room in the library facility, adding that they built conference rooms in Masunga and Mookane.

For his part, Kgosi Diane Jacob of Rakops commended his community for their contribution towards the project.

He said part of the funds for the project was from his community, urging them to continue making meaningful contributions to development projects in their area. Ends