Pefo community library jinja, visit report november, 2020

1. 14-11-2020
PHEOBE EDUCATION FUND FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN
(PEFO COMMUNITY LIBRARY –JINJA)
As you enter Jinja district in Eastern Uganda en route to Bujagali road about 4 miles and 800
meters from the Main road lays PEFO –Uganda. PEFO has got a community library that
provides reading spaces for over 6 schools and the community, computer lessons with 10
computers, library user education, indoor and outdoor games, book clubs for children, reference
service, mobile library, lending, children activities (story times, read aloud, silent reading,
author writing) among others. PEFO community library is a registered library with UgCLA.
Children of all ages access the library and adults also use the library for research, homework,
personal reading and also to access e-resources. The library is managed by a Librarian who
administers the library services on a daily basis.
The library opens from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and there is no membership
since it serves everyone in the community. Book lending services are only limited to researchers,
teachers, adults and youth with clear identifications. Children are allowed to make use of the
library resources within the library premise. Parents also accompany their little ones to the
library and they highly encourage it. The community library was well represented in UgCLAs
2019 Annual General Meeting and is looking forward for the next one.

2. Children playing with toys Children’s corner
Adults and youth in the main library Children during personal reading
With Book donations and support from Book Aid International through Uganda community
Libraries association, the libraries stock has increased and children make use of the picture
books, teenage fiction and toys. Mobile library has also been possible because of the children’s
books that they received from BAI. Annet Nakuya (Librarian) says “These materials have
created a positive impact on our learners’ performance and active involvement in libraries
activities.” The library also helps parents who cannot aid
private tutorage especially during this time of the pandemic
since the library is free of charge.
However, there is need for the library to get a clear database
management system to support the library staff in keeping
track of the increasing library resources. As Ranganathan's
Fifth Law of Library Science states “The Library is a
Growing Organism”, the library is running out of space to
accommodate the resources. Emphasis are being made to
carry out annual weeding and stock taking for the library
materials in order to create space for new materials. The library also welcomes book donations
from friends, well-wishers, NGOs, Government bodies, authors and publishers. Currently they
do not have a collection development policy to govern their selection and acquisition of library
resources but with the help and guide from UgCLA they shall come up with one.
Children using the library

3. The library with a 100 sitting capacity and a very attractive children’s corner is a welcoming
environment for any reader. During school times, pupils and students are accompanied by their
teachers to the library. Teachers also give library support to the librarian as well. Being the only
library serving the community, they have been faced with challenges of space because of the
over whelming numbers of children, youth and adults that come to the library. Books are also
mishandled and stolen by a user which has become a major threat to the library. “These books
are expensive and sometimes out of stock, yet we want each and every one to get access to
them.” Judith Akello, Head of Education(PEFO).
They thanked UgCLA and Book Aid International for the continuous support they have rendered
through the book donations which have helped to strengthen and empower the community
library activities and service delivery.
In pictures:
A read aloud session Group reading in the community
Drama acting by the Primary 7 class
Conclusion
The library being at the heart of the community has enabled access to both print and electronic
resources by members in the area. Most schools do not have a library and the only community
library around has to serve over 6 schools. A timetable is put in place for each school for better
service and satisfaction. With the challenges in place; the organization has worked hard to
maintain it to the best standards and thus, a home for everyone interacting with information.
Compiled by:
Emmanuel Anguyo
Coordinator, Uganda Community Libraries Association
eanguyo88@gmail.com
ugcomlib2007@gmailcom