Kid's Planet Academy visits Kitwe Council Library

Kid's Planet Academy kids outside the
Kitwe City Council Library

The vibrant children of Kid's Planet Academy on June 2, 2023 embarked on a thrilling adventure to the
Kitwe City Council Public Library. With their curious minds and sparkling eyes, they eagerly stepped into the realm of knowledge, ready to explore the vast wonders of literature.

As the children entered the library, a sense of awe and excitement washed over them. They were greeted by towering shelves adorned with books of every shape, size, and color. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of inked pages, inviting them to delve into the captivating stories within.

The librarian, a warm and friendly soul, welcomed the children with open arms. He knew the transformative power of books and was thrilled to witness their enthusiasm. Leading them through the maze of knowledge, she guided them to the magical realm of children's literature.

The young explorers scattered in different directions, drawn to the enchanting tales that awaited them. Some ventured into the land of fairy tales, where dragons soared and princesses found their happily-ever-afters. Others dove into the vast oceans of non-fiction, uncovering facts about planets, dinosaurs, and faraway lands.

Kid's Planet Academy kids inside the
Kitwe City Council Library

As they wandered through the library's corridors, the children discovered hidden nooks and cozy
reading corners. They curled up in beanbag chairs, engrossed in their chosen stories, their imaginations running wild. Laughter filled the air as they shared fascinating tidbits they had learned, igniting a spark of curiosity within their fellow adventurers.

Time seemed to fly in the realm of books, and soon it was time for the children to bid farewell to the library. As they gathered near the entrance, their faces beamed with pure joy and a newfound appreciation for the world of literature. The librarian commended their eagerness to explore and encouraged them to continue their journey through books beyond the library walls.

With hearts full of gratitude, the children left the Kitwe City Council Public Library, carrying with them a treasure trove of stories and knowledge. They knew that their visit had kindled a love for reading that would guide them on countless future adventures.

From that day forward, the children of Kid's Planet Academy embraced books as their constant companions, seeking solace, inspiration, and endless possibilities within their pages. And as they continued to grow and learn, they cherished the memory of their visit to the library, forever grateful for the gift of knowledge it had bestowed upon them.

Zambia revives Open Door Children’s Corners in public libraries

By Raymond Sikanyika

Services to children and youth are at the heart of what it means to be a responsive public librarian in

A newly rehabilitated children’s corner
[Photo: Brian Chileshe] 

Zambia, where children and youth make up more than half of the national population. Access to information is a fundamental human right. Public libraries, as institutions mandated to provide equal information access to people from all walks of life, have a particularly significant role to play in advancing this right. Public libraries, by nature of their functions, play a key role in national development.

Children and youth are among the important categories of people who need ready access to information as well as other quality library services.

For a long time in Zambia, most public libraries did not have desirable spaces designated for children’s library services. This situation did not motivate children to seek library services as they should.

Zambia was privileged to receive support from Book Aid International (BAI). This was through a partnership between the Ministry of General Education through Zambia Library Service and BAI. This partnership saw six provincial libraries; Mansa, Chipata, Mongu, Solwezi, Kasama and Choma receive support to rehabilitate the children’s corners and also received grants for the purchase of books with particular emphasis on local content. In addition, public librarians in the provincial libraries received training on the management of children’s library services.

Kitwe Public Library, under the Ministry of Local Government received support from Book Bus to improve the services in the children’s corner in the Kitwe City Council Library. The Book Bus is a unique mobile literacy service that promotes reading skills and spreads the joy of storybooks. It was founded by publisher Tom Maschler with the aim of supplying books and making them accessible to children to help get more children reading and therefore be able to make more choices about their own lives. The Book Bus aims to improve child literacy rates in Africa, Asia and South America by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them.

Out of a desire to build the national capacity of the profession in relation to children’s services, Library and Information Association of Zambia collaborated on the development of a national survey for public librarians, including both council libraries and provincial libraries, to identify how public libraries in Zambia are currently serving children and youths. Based on gaps and challenges that emerged from this survey, LIAZ and Lubuto Library Partners (LLP), an NGO that provides an open system of libraries and accessible services, and works with professional colleagues to build capacity to serve young people through public libraries, decided to team up in the development of a training program for public librarians that would address the critical need for support in relation to children’s services and programming, children’s collection development, and other areas of collective interest. This study was conducted as a result of the need to improve the provision of library services in public libraries in Zambia.

A public librarian conducting a children’s session
[Photo: Brian Chileshe] 

LLP and LIAZ collaboratively planned, scheduled, and funded a week-long training opportunity for provincial and council librarians from 20 – 24th March 2017, that was held in Monze, Southern Province. The training attracted public librarians from across the country. A total of 26 public librarians including representatives from partner organizations participated in the training.

This training was to complement the support from BAI and Book Bus to ensure that the rehabilitated children’s corners were effectively made use of. Public librarians in Zambia acquired various skills that are cardinal for providing quality children’s library services in public libraries.

In Zambia, each public library in now servicing an average of about 250 children per month. The trained librarians provide various quality library services and in addition conduct outreach programmes in their communities.