Revamping Libraries

We returned to Town Muslim and Kisowera Primary Schools this week to help them make full use of the materials we have made available to them. We were under the assumption that if we built a building that included shelves, a gathering space, and a few thousand books, we'd return to find a working literacy center with students and teachers reading the books. The piece we missed was that there is no knowledge of how a library is organized or used in the schools we support, so we set out to find a solution. We were clear that the investment and idea of the literacy centers were good ideas, so Wednesday we arrived at Town Muslim Primary School with the goal of helping their staff organize and make sense of how to use the resources. 

Looking through Kisowera's collection. Note the books are stored on their sides. The ideas that the spines had to be out, and like books should be shelved together are new ideas.

The head teacher was more than willing to let us help. We soon found ourselves with two staff members and many students who helped us pull the books off the shelves. With input we decided the best way to arrange the books was into 4 categories: Picture Books, Information Books, Novels, & Professional Resource. We spent three days working to clean out and organize both literacy centers. 

Organizing the Town Muslim Primary Library.

Organizing Kisowera's Library. It was more work here as we pulled half the books out of the storage area.

Kate assessing Kisowera readers. 

The ideas of self-selected reading and free time for reading are new concepts in this country. Teachers don't connect independent reading with improved reading; they think reading is learned through direct instruction. We met with the teachers to talk about research on the importance of reading and how it will impact their students' learning.

Once the libraries were organized, students arrived on their own initiative asking to read. They became immediately engrossed in their choices. Often several students shared a book. The the older boys gravitated to non fiction, particularly science. The little children gravitated to picture books and some nonfiction. Despite not having had access to libraries they seem to choose just right books. 

Town Muslim boys learning about how their new library is organized.

Now it's the teachers' turn. The teacher standing is labeling the shelves to match the books, That particular shelf has books in Arabic. At this school students learn Luganda, English, Arabic, and Swahili.

The last three days have been filled with hard filthy work, joy, and laughter. Seeing children come in and read books brings tears to all of our eyes. We are so hopeful the literacy centers will continue to be used the way they were intended. Thankfully Sister Schools has two wonderful employees here in Uganda. Asia and William will be following up regularly with each of these schools. 

Kisowera's finished library area. It is now out in the large room. If we find it is being used regularly, more shelves will be built, and many more books will be donated.