The Okavango
Research Institute Library is a branch of the University of Botswana Library
based in Maun. The library serves a broad range of scholars and researchers who
are engaged in the planning and studying of the Okavango Delta. The library pride itself of a variety of
information sources across multiple sources such as printed formats e.g. books,
periodicals and government reports. The library is custodian of
rich and unique collection of information sources that researchers, students
& external community at large can access. The library also offers other services such as
trainings, ILL facility, computer facility and reprographic services. ORI
library facilitates access to information and serves as the heart of research
and academic community. The Library close gaps of access to info
sources that address: Goals: 4, 6,7,
9,12,13, 14,16, which is addressed by the core of the library’s holdings. The access to
information that the library offers enables the achievement of almost all the
SDGs.
Over the
years the library has participated in community engagements projects as a way
of giving back to the community around the institute. Some of the activities
are the Setting up of Primary School Libraries, Community internship program,
North West Information Specialist Workshop and the prisoners literacy
programme. The establishment of primary
schools libraries started as a reading project between Shorobe, chanoga and
Matsaudi primary schools. The reason behind it was to inculcate and encourage
the culture of reading to students. It then changed to the establishment of
schools libraries after the realisation that the libraries in these school were
not functional. The library has completed setting up Matsaudi Primary schools
Library in 2017, the Chanoga Primary school Library will be started next month.
The delay of setting up Chanoga library was caused by shortage of staff and
also processing duties that were supposed to be done.
The
library also hosts two community internship participants every year (funds
permitting) in the institute. The aim of the programme is to build relationships with the communities
and bring awareness about the activities of ORI to the surrounding communities
of the Okavango Delta. The interns move around the different units in ORI to
learn about their roles. The participants of the programme are then requested
to report back to communities what they have learnt. The North West Information Specialists Forum
is held annually to share ideas on several issues pertaining to library
profession. Information sharing platform to advocate for information. literacy
across all stages and advance the profession. Prisoners Literacy started
this year. The project provides of newspapers & magazines to prisoners at
Boro Prison in Maun. Newspapers and magazines are requested from ORI community.I,
the UN 2030 Agenda, access to information recognised as a target under
SDG 16, the
Botswana Vision 2036 envision a knowledge-based economy. International Federation of
Library Associations & Institutions contends
that access to information and information literacy is essential pillar of sustainable development, hence the library’s role in intensifying
activities that promote access to information for all.
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