Winnipeg’s first snowfall coincided with my arrival back from Ghana last week, a lovely sight. Like most visits, my month-long stay felt like an extended ‘library family’ reunion.
OCLF libraries have elements that connect. The majority are clad in laterite, an iron-rich soil plaster, have ‘Jubilee blue’ painted doors and window frames, feature meandering pathways with flowering shrubs, and are welcoming spaces for all.
Each library sets monthly goals, and they are shared at monthly meetings. Head librarians learn from each other and adapt their own programming to inspire young minds.
Korle Gonno Library’s staff and children created a ‘Library Tree’ using papier-mâché and sticks for branches. Afterwards, everyone had fun attaching paper leaves with notes mentioning their favourite books and why they liked them. This same library was fortunate to receive eight new computers from a local company. Students from nearby schools now come for classes – far better than learning about computers from a blackboard!
Young musicians come for lessons and rehearse there, too. We remain fortunate to continue our collaboration with Musicians Without Borders, a German-based organization that provides instruments and instructors.
Fiifi Flawless, the concertmaster for Ghana’s National Symphony Orchestra, gave the keynote address at our annual librarians’ meeting. He emphasized the importance of music in a child’s life — beginning in utero. Following the talk, one librarian expressed his desire to learn the trumpet. He will soon join those taking lessons.
Goi’s library committee donated two containers of polish to refinish their library’s floor. This generous gesture conveys their desire to maintain their community resource.
I signed a Memo of Understanding with the Mayor of Ayawaso East, a municipality within Accra that includes two of our libraries. Winifred Obeng Kyeremeh, OCLF’s Library Coordinator, joined us to record the occasion along with the municipality’s Coordinating Director and Human Resources Manager. Such documents are important to ensure long-term sustainability.
It is always uplifting to see Mabel Hoduamedah, our tireless librarian from the salt mining village of Kablevu. In addition to reading stories aloud for hours to a room full of children, she remains steadfast with her mission to create a forest around her library
Over the course of my visit, I encountered several people who recognized Osu Library Fund’s motif on my skirt and top. They told me that they remembered the library as a significant part of their youth. Such moments of connection give depth to our message of Sharing the Joy of Reading
As we approach the end of this year and the dawning of the next, we thank you for your continued support and encouragement. extend our warmest wishes.
Warmest wishes, Kathy