Book Aid International has a long history of working in Zimbabwe. Books were donated before Independence and soon after Independence distribution centres were established in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Chipinge. The lack of a national library service in Zimbabwe means that certain areas have no library services at all, and the majority of services that do exist struggle to obtain adequate funding.
Our current programme is successful in filling this gap because we work in partnership with two committees formed of representatives from public libraries, university libraries, Rotary clubs, non governmental organisations and the British Council. The committees are named respectively the Bulawayo Distribution Committee and Harare Distribution Committee. Simply, the two committees are responsible for receiving the book donations and then targeting and distributing the books throughout various educational organisations throughout the country. Many of the committee members are dedicated librarians working to ensure that open access to information continues in spite of extreme hardship in their country.
Now more than ever, Book Aid International is committed to supporting these information professionals to maintain standards and provide inspiring services to communities both in urban and rural libraries, schools and universities. The economic climate has continued to make life very difficult. Libraries in Zimbabwe remain severely under funded and there is a high turnover of library staff due to poor salaries. The National Free Library is under threat of closure and at times has had no electricity or water due to lack of funds to pay bills.
We have also developed partnerships with and support seven higher education institutions including the Zimbabwe Open University and the Women's University in Africa, and several NGOs such as the Zimbabwe Women's Resource Centre & Network and promote access to vital development information.
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