Nungua Library

Monday through Thursday of this week I am visiting Nungua Library, also run by the OCLF in conjunction with the Nungua Municipality. The library was built in 2004. From what people have told me, the Nungua community approached Kathy to build a library in their area. Kathy came to look at the plot of the land they offered to donate and liked it. The library sits in a large complex surrounded by different schools, perhaps four different school housed in 7-8 buildings. The OCLF built the library on the donated land and the community agreed to pay salaries and utilities. One snag though, the Nungua Municipality has been slow to pay the salaries. Kathy has stepped in and gives small amounts to the staff in the interim.

The building is surrounded by landscaped grounds and has a small outdoor theater. Along the outside runs a very nice covered patio. As you enter, there is a place to put your bags, shelves on which to place your shoes, and sinks to wash your hands. Inside are high ceilings with exposed beams, orange tile under your feet, and good natural light coming in from the windows that line all the walls. The books are kept in low shelves along the walls or in bins in the center of the rooms.

My hostess this week is Abigail, the head of the Ningua Library. Abigail worked with Joanna in the Kathy Knowles Library for nine years before becoming head of the library at Nungua six years ago. Other staff members include Joshua, Latitia, and Hanna.

Abigail tells me that during the school break, the library can have 300-400 children a day. Activities include puzzles, story time, composition, bingo, and Bible study. Many older students and teachers from the area schools come to the library throughout the day to study and prepare for class. And something very cool, each day the kids quit what they are doing at 4:30, stack up the chairs and sweep out the library. This also happens at the Kathy Knowles Library and it is a wonderful way for the kids to take extra pride and ownership of their library.