Library visit october 2020 alea

1. 26-10-2020
ADULT LITERACY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASSOCIATION
(ALEA COMMUNITY LIBRARY)
ALEA Community library is found in Tororo district, Kwapa town council in Eastern Uganda. It
is housed by St. Lawrence secondary school -Kwapa, an O’level mixed school in the area. The
P.T.A Chairman Mr. Emongoriat Julius also a member of ALEA said that the building was given
by the church (Kwapa catholic church) and it was once a Junior school which later turned into a
secondary now known as St. Lawrence S.S – Kwapa. Through ALEA the school has managed to
partner with UgCLA and have received some books from Book Aid International because of this
partnership.
“We are very optimistic about adding us books” Cyprian, Head
Teacher. They are very grateful for what they received and would like
to get more.
COMMUNITY LIBRARY
The library is open for the community members from Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m and closed on weekends. However, the space
inside is limited and it cannot accommodate more than 5 people. There is no enough space to
accommodate the students and other users. They have got land for building the library but have
not yet got the resources. A library is very paramount.
Plot 193 Kizza zone, Kawempe
P. O. Box 34004, Kampala.
Phone: +256 772 470911, 0700 633727
Web: www.uclia.org
Cyprian Omusolo Moses
– Head Teacher

2. “The library is the most important for the school because it brings a culture of reading”
Cyprian, Head Teacher.
In this era of Information Communication Technology, the library has got no Computers and
related gadgets to access information and also the students, teachers, librarian lack computer
literacy skills. They need training and knowledge. As a community library they need computers
because they are mandatory for knowledge. There is also need to enlighten the community with
computer literacy alongside books.
“Recording the newly acquired books takes a lot of time; I would
have transferred the records to a computer” Sebastian –Librarian.
According to the Librarian, who has served in the library for a period
of 9 years since 2011, they have a range of between 1200 and 1500
books in stock which are mostly science books. Students mostly look
out for science books since sciences are compulsory. Some look out
for novels (Fiction and no-fiction). Members borrow the books and
return them after a given time. Being hosted by a secondary school, junior books are not
appropriate for learners. The books are recorded and stamped. The borrowers register is also in
place to track the information materials that have been lent out. People also use the library for
research, making notes by teachers and students
CHALLENGES
 Students take long to return the books but he doesn’t issue any fines to them.
“Some students transfer to other schools and go with our books while others get married
and I do not know where they are”
 Recording takes time.
 Rats and termites have become a problem.
 The library has no lights and when it becomes dark it becomes so challenging for any
user.
Akiru Gertrude is a senior four student of St. Lawrence secondary
school –Kwapa. She accesses the library twice in a week to look for
new resources and ideas. She narrates that the library has limited
curriculum books and even some are completely not there for example
Christian Religious Education and Commerce. “I would like to be an
accountant in future” – says Gertrude (student). She recommends
that missing books have to be added to the library and the space be
expanded as well. “It feels nice when I am in the library because when I leave, there is always
some change than before.” She encourages fellow students to share knowledge and respect the
librarian too.
Odie Sebastian – Librarian
Akiru Gertrude, student

3. Olupot Joseph is a senior four student of St. Lawrence secondary
school –Kwapa. He goes to the library once in a week to look for new
books in stock. He notes that practical books are not there in the
library. “The librarian and teachers help us to identify the books but
there are no practical books at all in this library.” He wants to be an
engineer in future. He finds it easy to borrow the books and thus
encourages fellow students to keep borrowing and handle the books
smartly.
Students who use the library Emongoriat Julius – ALEA Member
Shelved books in the library Accession register
Compiled by:
Emmanuel Anguyo
eanguyo88@gmail.com
ugcomlib2007@gmail.com
Olupot Joseph, Student