Joakim Fransisku, the acting librarian at the Rundu Community Library, says the facility caters to more users than it can accommodate.
Joakim Fransisku says between 100 and 150 locals make use of the community library on an average day.
It’s a typical weekday, and the Rundu Community Library is a hive of activity.
Users range from primary school learners, teenagers here to do homework, and young adults doing research or applying for online jobs.
Farmers seeking agricultural knowledge and business people looking for help regarding financial statements are just some of the many other users who frequent the facility.
The Rundu library has limited space, with only 12 computers available for users and two librarians to share the workload.
Only 70 users can be accommodated at a time, so the rest have to sit outside, waiting their turn.
“At times, you feel pity because they have to share the computers. If you are to say 30 minutes per person, it won’t help that person because they will need more time to do research and get what they want. We just ask them to be fast. If it’s an hour allocation, make sure you get what you get because it’s what we have.”
Fransisku has been working at the community library for 15 years and says more Namibians are discovering a love for these knowledge-filled facilities called libraries.
“It’s now becoming ours. We own them because it used to be for one ethnic group, but now our local people have that love of coming and using the library.”
The acting librarian believes that, judging by the town’s population growth, demand for library services will rise.
He says the directorate of education has indicated its intent to improve the library’s internet speed, which is currently not optimised.
“If we could have libraries like Omaheke and Oshana, those bigger ones that can accommodate at least 150–200 users, that would be great for the region. We cannot be limited by not giving because we do not have anything. What we have is what we are giving. We are also playing our part to make sure that this Namibian child gets what they want to make their studies successful.”
Gabriel Muteka, 17, was introduced to this library by a friend and has been coming here for close to two years.
“At home, my friends can disturb me. I won’t study well, so I came here because it’s a normal, quiet place.”
32-year-old John Disho is an unemployed graduate who has frequented the library for close to 12 years.
“I go on different websites and search for job opportunities and type letters since I don’t have a computer, and that culture of reading has always been there.”
The acting librarian is calling on the local business community, the Rundu Town Council, and other stakeholders to assist in updating the community resource centre.
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