Busolwe Public Library
Encyclopedia
Busolwe Public Library, or the BPL, is a small community library in the village of Busolwe
, eastern Uganda
. The library aims to improve the overall reading culture in the locality and to serve as an extension for learning beyond the classroom. It is part of the Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA).
in Eastern Region, Uganda
. Throughout its history, the library has had the opportunity to work with a number of organisations based outside of Uganda, such as Peace Corps
and Go Global University of British Columbia
. International partnership characterises the continued growth and success of the library.
With a relatively large collection of books in the vernacular language Lunyole, BPL hopes to contribute to the preservation of the language, which is one of the many endangered Niger–Congo languages in sub-Saharan Africa
.
The Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA), heads a network of community libraries in the country. As a member of the UgCLA, BPL is given a monthly stipend to employ a full-time librarian and also to purchase books and stationary. The UgCLA also organizes workshops for librarians to be trained twice a year and other specific workshops throughout the year which focus on different techniques and approaches to learning.
Lunyole Language Association (LLA)
The Lunyole Language Association (LLA) was founded in 1964 to actively promote the use of Lunyole in Uganda. The LLA has championed the writing and publishing of printed materials in Lunyole. The BPL is proud to host a collection of more than 100 Lunyole language storybooks for children.
University of British Columbia (UBC)
The University of British Columbia
(UBC) has begun a partnership with BPL since 2008, and sends over student volunteers through its Go Global International Service Learning Program. From working together, the local community members and international volunteers have enjoyed a fruitful partnership, leading rise to many of BPL's currents projects in the community.
Local schools
The library also partners with many local schools to promote both the library and the reading culture through collaborative projects. These projects range from story-reading, safe sex seminars to reading competitions.
Busolwe
Busolwe is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is one of the two municipalities in Butaleja District, the other municipality being Butaleja, the location of the district headquarters.-Location:...
, eastern Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. The library aims to improve the overall reading culture in the locality and to serve as an extension for learning beyond the classroom. It is part of the Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA).
History
The Busolwe Public Library (BPL) was founded by the Lunyole Language Association (LLA) in 1996. BPL is proudly the sole community library serving Butaleja DistrictButaleja District
Butaleja District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Its named after its 'chief town', Butaleja, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
in Eastern Region, Uganda
Eastern Region, Uganda
Eastern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
. Throughout its history, the library has had the opportunity to work with a number of organisations based outside of Uganda, such as Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
and Go Global University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. International partnership characterises the continued growth and success of the library.
Library vision
As books are rarely found in average households in Busolwe, BPL aims to improve the overall reading culture in the locality. It also seeks to serve as an extension for learning beyond the classroom by offering school textbooks to students who do not have access to them at school and at home.With a relatively large collection of books in the vernacular language Lunyole, BPL hopes to contribute to the preservation of the language, which is one of the many endangered Niger–Congo languages in sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
.
Library patrons
Patrons of the BPL consist of mainly students, teachers and other concerned professionals who spend their leisure time reading. Young children under the age of 7 also come to the library to enjoy listening to stories read aloud by the librarian and volunteers. On average, more than 30 community members come to the library everyday in order to read and study.Partner organisations
Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA)The Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA), heads a network of community libraries in the country. As a member of the UgCLA, BPL is given a monthly stipend to employ a full-time librarian and also to purchase books and stationary. The UgCLA also organizes workshops for librarians to be trained twice a year and other specific workshops throughout the year which focus on different techniques and approaches to learning.
Lunyole Language Association (LLA)
The Lunyole Language Association (LLA) was founded in 1964 to actively promote the use of Lunyole in Uganda. The LLA has championed the writing and publishing of printed materials in Lunyole. The BPL is proud to host a collection of more than 100 Lunyole language storybooks for children.
University of British Columbia (UBC)
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
The University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC) has begun a partnership with BPL since 2008, and sends over student volunteers through its Go Global International Service Learning Program. From working together, the local community members and international volunteers have enjoyed a fruitful partnership, leading rise to many of BPL's currents projects in the community.
Local schools
The library also partners with many local schools to promote both the library and the reading culture through collaborative projects. These projects range from story-reading, safe sex seminars to reading competitions.