The Education Committee understands that the best contributions of SSHDA to SSH regions are to empower the local public and reverse current brain drainage. These two parameters will help and accommodate other inputs and multiply the impact of other positive contributions.
Libraries:
SSHDA's Education Project includes SSH Public Libraries Project. A Project sub-committee was assigned to plan, develop, and establish a minimum of three public libraries in each of the cities of Laasanod, Buuhoodle and Erigavo. The following is a short description of this project:
Project Description:
This project is a part of SSHDA's Education Project. The Education Committee assigned two of its members to develop a plan for the establishment of three full-fledged libraries in each of Laasanod*, Buuhoodle and Erigavo towns. Their task will include selecting the name and the site of each library, collection of books, cost study, training of future librarians and the design/construction of buildings. They will also establish collection development policy, weeding policy and other necessary rules for the libraries.
Beneficiary Community's Profile:
Historically, Somalis were oral society, but not good readers. However, that trend has changed drastically since the establishment of the Somali script and the modern school systems. Between the independence and 1973-75 when then Somali government launched a massive literacy campaign, English, Italian and Arabic served as languages of instruction in Somalia's schools. As a result, many Somalis became proficient in these languages. Somalia's literacy rate was estimated at only 5 percent in 1972 and between 24- 37 percent currently.
There were few public libraries in Somalia, and almost all of them were located in the capital Mogadishu. After the fall of Somalia's central government, all library books, University books, teaching materials, textbooks and all public facilities were looted or destroyed. As a result, books and educational materials became very rare.
The civil war in Somalia (late 80s-early 90s), local communities in many parts of the country, with the help of their Diaspora communities, took the initiative of reviving the education system and institutions. Many primary and secondary schools are functioning even at better capacity than pre-war levels in some areas. In SSH regions of Northern Somalia, most primary and secondary schools have been reopened. Also the population of major towns has grown more than 70%. These changes ensure high demand for materials on a wide variety of subjects. There is also a big increase in the number of small businesses and should continue, and it will create a great demand for business reference materials on accounting, personal management, marketing, travel and finance. The need for information materials will continue to increase because of the demands of both teachers and students, lack of other sources for these materials in the community and the rise of the population of town residents.
Book Collection Priorities and Criteria:
SSH Library Project intends to collect at least 10,000 of books, audiocassettes, videotapes and documents. Projected libraries will subscribe to national/international, newspapers and periodicals. To meet the information needs of the local communities, priority will be given to materials in areas of education, health, government, technology, science, business, Somali language and literature and history, etc. The project will also encourage local authors, local history and genealogical materials relating to SSH the region and publications by local authors.
To better utilize available space and resources the selection of collected materials will be evaluated by the local Library Committee in Laasanod and SSHDA Education Committee in USA, based in part by the following guidelines:
(1) Current and anticipated interest, need, demand and values of library users and potential users.
(2) Contemporary significance and timeliness of the information.
(3) Quality, including accuracy and clarity of the content.
(4) Authors or publisher's qualification or reputation.
(5) Affordability.
(6) Support of library's mission and values.
Gifts/Donations:
Gifts/donations to the collection in the form of money or actual library materials are gratefully accepted by SSHDA with the understanding that they become the property of the Libraries and will be considered for addition to the collection in accordance with our Collection Criteria. SSH Libraries reserve the right to sell or otherwise dispose of gift materials not added to the collection.
Access:
SSH Libraries will assure free access to all its holdings, materials and collections for all patrons without discrimination of any kind.
Weeding Policy:
In order to maintain an up-to-date useful collection, the materials will be continuously weeded if they are damaged, no longer used, out-of-date or inappropriate for the collection. |
