29 Apr 2019

Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development’s acting permanent secretary, Kgopotso Ramoroka says public libraries have transformed from the traditional library service providers to modernised information centres, that encapsulated technology and programmes aligned to Sustainable Development Goals.

Officially opening World Book and Copyright Day recently, Ramoroka said the development was in direct response to government’s expectation of facilitating transition from resource to knowledge-based economy.

He noted that in the highly competitive global village, libraries demanded to adopt a new outlook and take an active role in re-packaging and availing information into simple, practical and functional formats for immediate use by customers.

Libraries transformation, he said was achieved in part through collaboration efforts with strategic partners, such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation.

He said such was done to increase access to library services by building more libraries and providing technological equipment to facilitate the socio economic participation of Batswana in the global world.

Ramoroka further highlighted that 74 365 had graduated across the country for basic ICT training adding that Homework, Story Telling and Reading/Writing clubs was another programme, which had benefitted children especially with their school work.

World Book and Copyright Day was internationally commemorated under the theme, Share a Story, and adapted to Botswana context with the theme, Power of Reading.Ramoroka said the theme was inclusive and allowed all to think broadly on issues that enhanced access to information by all sectors, especially the youth as they constitute a greater percentage.

The day, Ramoroka said afforded librarians, authors, literary artists and practitioners as well as publishers an opportunity to share ideas, experiences and also celebrate the book and associated products.

World Book and Copyright Day was declared by UNESCO in 1995 to recognise authors and books and sensitise people especially the young ones to read.

This was Botswana’s maiden commemoration. ENDS