HCL NEWSLETTER, AUGUST 2019

(Official Newsletter of the Harare City Library)

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Matthew Chandaengerwa, HCL Committee Member (Fundraising and Publicity)

We welcome you all to our debut newsletter which has come to complement our other efforts in the provision of information regarding library activities. It is our sincere hope that this newsletter will be a valuable resource for our library users, staff, and all stakeholders in the local and international book sector. The HCL Newsletter mainly seeks to capture and convey to readers everything happening at the library and elsewhere in the library and information sector. Our blog is running and that is another reason why we are glad with our mission to provide timely relevant information. Everyone is free to comment and suggestions or inquiries are welcome.

Do not forget to join us in September for the International Literacy Day celebrations.

Enjoy your read! 

HARARE CITY LIBRARY OPENS CONSUMER HEALTH CORNER

Mr. Chisambare Douglas Katengo, the Rotary Club 2019/20 District Governor from Zambia, addressing guests at the official launch of the Library Consumer Health Corner

The Harare City Library now runs a Consumer Health Corner which will provide and promote health information for the well-being of individuals and the community at large. The Health Corner, officially launched at the library on August 8, 2019, is a result of a partnership between the Library, the Rotary Club and the University of Zimbabwe Medical School Library.
Before the launch, guests from Rotary Club, City of Harare and the UZ Medical School Library toured the library and familiarized with certain library information nooks such as the computer center/ internet café, the Doris Lessing Collection corner and the Petina Gappah Children’s Library. 
His Worship, Mayor of the City of Harare Clr Herbert Gomba was represented by Clr Hammy Madzingira.
Speaking at the official opening, guest of honor Mr. Chisambare Douglas Katengo, the Rotary Club 2019/20 District Governor from Zambia said even though the Club has donated physical books to the corner, the club must adapt by way of embracing new technology so that it can provide digital equipment to the health corner for it to be able to accommodate all ages and kinds of people, including people living with disability (PLD).
“As Rotarians, I want us to adapt, change with the times and make the best out of what we do,” he said.
The Rotary Club donated various medical books but the district governor promised the library that there will be more books coming covering various non-medical subjects. 
Mr. Katengo, whose district governorship covers Malawi, Mozambique North, Zambia and Zimbabwe, also said that the Zimbabwe will be honored with a visit by the Rotary International President next year in March. He said that the Rotary International President will be visiting Chitungwiza for a medical project happening there. 
The official handover of medical books to the library marked the beginning of a long relationship between the HCL and the Rotary Club. 
“We will make sure that the echoes of the Rotary footprints will remain etched in our minds and actions for a long time to come,” said the library committee member Mr. Matthew Chandaengerwa (Fundraising and Publicity).
According to Masimba Muziringa, the UZ Medical School Librarian who attended the ceremony, the collaboration with the HCL to build a Consumer Health Corner started some time in 2015 when they realized the need to provide reading resources that are patient-centered and thus serve ordinary consumers who need assistance to deal with certain diseases. He said he was grateful for the contribution made by the Rotary Club Harare Central. 
The Rotary Club Harare Central was chartered in 1973 with a mission to “improve the livelihood of the communities through service in respect of the six avenues of service, and to provide business and professional people an opportunity for service through ethical standards, fellowship and goodwill”.

Images from The Launch

HCL Librarian Mr. Tariro Dube (left) share a lighter moment with Mr. Eldred Mutasa, one of HCL Trustees, and some Rotary Club (Harare Central) officials

Delegates enjoy tour of the library 

Official handover of books by Rotary Club

A job well done!

HCL AT THE 2019 ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

Primary school children listen attentively during a session at the Children's Reading Tent

The Harare City Library participated at the 2019 ZIBF Children's Reading Tent represented by Mr. T. Masunda and Mr.  C Nhira. Children from various schools in Harare who attended the Children’s Reading Tent enjoyed different sessions (readings, storytelling, discussions, etc.) and games. What was interesting at this year’s Reading Tent was the teaching of sign language and braille reading facilitated by Grosscare International, one of the partners of the Harare City Library. Another HCL partner, IBBY which was represented by renowned writer Virginia Phiri and Mr. Greenfield Chilongo, also took its time to entertain and teach the children several skills including reading, writing and storytelling.

DANCE TO BOOKS…

As M & M Dance Factory Invades Harare City Library

Sean Mambwere, a dancer from M & M Dance Factory

A member of M & M Dance Factory grooves it at the Harare City Library during a dance video shooting

Three guys from M & M Dance Factory, namely, Sean Mambwere, Terrence Kapesa and Tichaona Chikara, displayed their intricate modern dance moves against a backdrop of bookshelves during a dance video shooting done at the Harare City Library on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
34-year old Mambwere, who also teaches dancing at the Factory, said they chose the library as a venue for the video shooting in order to capture the lovely scenery of books which somehow will inspire young people to read. 

The gifted trio danced to the song titled No Days Off and shot the video in different places within the library.
“The song to which we were dancing is called No Days Off, meaning that there is no rest if one wants to achieve something. We chose the library because it’s all about studying or reading and the people using the library here are working hard to get to the level they want in life,” Mambwere said. 
The M & M usually shares the videos online as part of their means to reach out with a positive message to many people who want to pursue their dreams in dancing.

“One of the things we love doing is documenting our creativity and then sharing online to inspire other kids who have the same talent. Out of these videos we hope to attract more students to our classes so we can train them to be the best dancers,” said Mambwere. 
The M&M Dance Factory, he added, works with schools and currently there are 14 schools engaged. Every second term, an annual production of all the dances from the schools is put together and showcased at Reps Theatre for everyone to see.
Mambwere expressed his gratitude to the Harare City Library for welcoming them and making their dance concept worthwhile.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Commemoration of International Literacy Day

Date: September 13, 2019

Venue: Harare City Library

FLASHBACK 

Some of the books donated by Book Aid International

Last month, the Harare City Library received book donation from its long-time friend Book Aid International which has continued to support libraries in Zimbabwe. 

The books donated are mainly academic and will benefit medical students. 

In an interview, HCL Librarian Mr. Dube thanked Book Aid and called upon colleges and universities to link up with the library and make use of these books.

“We are actually happy, especially as we are a not-for-profit organization which survives on donor support and subscriptions. We are indebted to Book Aid International for this donation,” said Mr. Dube.

HCL is the secretariat to the local chapter of the Book Aid International and is the distribution center for Harare.

According to Mr. Dube, Book Aid International has in the past supported the HCL with books and also played a major role in the refurbishment of the Children’s Corner, also known as the Petina Gappah Children’s Library. As it is said in the Bible, blessed is the hand that gives, HCL is blessed because it has also donated books to schools and organizations such as WIN.

In Zimbabwe, Book Aid International has been a force to reckon with in the promotion of reading culture and support of higher education.

“By supplying relevant, specialist and up-to-date books to university and higher education libraries in Zimbabwe we are able to support a great many students who would otherwise have little access to books and the information they need to pursue their studies,” it says on its website.

Book Aid International is UK’s leading international book donation and library development charity. Its vision is a world where everyone has access to the books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.

The HCL later received another donation of books from the Embassy of Brazil in Zimbabwe. Many of the books donated were in Portuguese language, making it a beautiful cultural exchange.

Mr. Takwana Masunda (above), HCL Assistant Librarian, shows some of the books recently received from the Embassy of Brazil in Zimbabwe

Let’s meet again in September!