1 school, 1 library, 1 librarian

According to an international study, student performance increases by between 10% and 25% when a library space is adequately stocked, and properly staffed within a school. Alarmingly, in South Africa, only 8% of public schools have functional libraries while 92% don’t even have libraries.

Equal Education, a community and membership-based organisation that is fighting for quality and equal education for every person in South Africa, has come up with a solution. It’s called the Bookery, and it is part of Equal Education’s “Campaign for School Libraries” initiative.

The Bookery was lauched in March 2010, and the first library opened just two months later in May 2010. Cosmas Mabeya, who heads up the Bookery, recalls, “When the first doors opened, it was an extraordinary time. We gave books to children who never had books before. It was a moment full of emotions”. Today there are six operating libraries and they hope to open 10 more before the end of 2012.

Staff and volunteers of the Bookery identify schools that can benefit from this initiative. A prerequisite is that schools have an existing structure to be used exclusively for the purpose of a library, and a member of staff committed to taking on the role of librarian. The cost of a  library depends on the school’s existing resources, however costs have been reduced thanks to the Bookery which takes care of book donations and volunteers who help collect, cover, label and digitally catalogue each book.

The volunteers are very proud of their work. “The Bookery project is very unique. There are other organisations that collect books for schools but we are the only ones that build libraries with good books too”, says Samantha Jensen. “We ensure that each library established by the Bookery contains a minimum of three books per learner and is suitably furnished. A library is more than a place where you can take out a book. It maintains an environment that is both welcoming and quiet, where learners can study as well as read for pleasure”.

Presently there are sufficient books for three or four schools, yet the Bookery is in constant need of new books, especially non fiction books. Visit the Bookery at 20 Roeland Street, Cape Town, and donate a book today. (You can also buy a book in someone’s name as a birthday gift)

For more information about Equal Education and the Bookery visit : //www.equaleducation.org.za