Zim Libraries Association conference ends on high note

Itai Muzondo

MASVINGO – Zimbabwe Library Association’s (ZimLA) 50th Conference ended on a high note, with Masvingo city council pledging to revamp its community libraries.

The conference was held under the theme; Transforming Information into Knowledge Tools.

In an interview with TellZim News soon after a three day conference held at a local hotel last week, African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) president John Tsebe said it is was important to have community libraries in all the residential suburbs in order for residents to have easy access to information when they do researches.

Tsebe also urged media organisations to have libraries in their newsrooms.  

“I have recognised with concern that the culture of reading hard copies is dying. I want to urge council to revive community libraries as well as newsrooms to have libraries to assist them when they write feature stories as well as story backgrounds,” said Tsebe.

Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze said he will convince the Housing and Community Development department to revive community libraries.

“The conference was an eye opener; I will talk to the Housing Director (Levison Nzvura) and encourage him to revive community libraries. There is also need to encourage young and ambitious Zimbabweans to recognize and take up librarianship as a rewarding career path. Qualified and competent librarians and media centre specialists therefore should be encouraged to apply and manage these libraries and media centers,” said Fidze.

Also present at the conference was ZimLA President Lantern Fusire, Library and Information Association of Zambia Velenasi Munsanje, Great Zimbabwe University Librarian Lawrence Chikwanha, Chief Librarian (Schools) Namibia Tonderai Chanakira, Associate Professor Zayed University, UAE Judith Mavodza, ZimLA Provincial Chairperson; Shadreck Ndinde and ZimLA Sub-Saharan Africa director Jerry Mathema.news