4th Library and Information Council inaugurated
Newly elected members of the 4th Library and Information Council (From left to right) Judy Grobler, Mocks Shivute, Micheal Skini, Veno Kauarika, Werner Hillebrecht, Sarah Negumbo, David Paulus and Charles Mlambo with (Seated: left to right) Education Minister, Abraham Iyambo, incoming Chairperson, Ellen Namhila, outgoing Chairperson, Elia Kaiyamo and Kenneth Howes.(Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)
Inaugurating the 15 new council members, the Minister urged them to support the work of the librarians around the country to advocate for the utilisation of libraries in order to inculcate a reading culture.
“We must bring our libraries to the 21st century, these libraries must have internet access, must have resources that young people would find attractive in order to enhance their learning. Libraries should not only be book issuing institutions. The council should use their influence to motivate the business community to use and support libraries,” he said.
He said in a bid to address the challenges faced by the Directorate Namibia Library and Archives Services, the Government has finalised the new library and archives structure which will bring the librarians and archivist positions on par with the professionals in the public sector.
According to the Minister, his ministry allocated an amount of N$71million for 2012/2013 to the Directorate of Namibia Library and Archives Services for Operational and Capital budget including the Regions, from which Namibia Library and Information Council received N$212 000.
The duty of the Council as stated in The Namibia Library and Information Services Act, Act No. 4 of 2000, is to investigate and advise the Minister on any matters which the Minister refers to the council as a means of ensuring equality of access to information resources.
Also speaking at the event, outgoing chairman of the Library and Information Council, Elia Kaiyamo said that NDP4 proposed 25% pass rate for Grade 10 (at least 30 points) by 2012 and 45% for Grade 12 (at least 25 points).
He said the Education Ministry has the entrenched mandate to develop the country’s education system and all the stakeholders must play their role in that process.
“The Library Council has the historical mission to keep the foundation of our society geared towards NDP4 and virtually Vision 2030. The family cannot be orderly if the society is not in order, the schools cannot be in order if the library is not in order,” said Kaiyamo.
The Head Librarian at UNAM, Ellen Namhila was elected the new Chairperson of the 4th Library and Information Council.
