Kitengesa Community Library

Kitengesa Community Library
Location	Kitengesa, Buwuunga sub-county, Masaka District, Uganda
Established	1999
Branches	1
Collection
Size	3,085 books (as of July 2007)
Access and use
Population served	small rural community, 645 members (as of January 2008)
Other information
Director	Emmanuel Mawanda
Funding	United Nations One Percent For Development Fund, Kitengesa Comprehensive Secondary School, Friends of Kitengesa Community Library
Website	http://www.kitengesalibrary.org/

Kitengesa Community Library is a small but very successful library in west Uganda. It is part of the Uganda Community Libraries Association.

History

Starting in April 1999 with a box of books and 13 students, the Kitengesa Community Library has evolved into an innovative learning center serving 250 students and their extended families. It was started by Emmanuel Mwanda and Dr. Kate Parry. Mr. Mwanda is library director and Headmaster of Kitengesa Comprehensive Secondary School. Dr. Parry divides her time between New York City where she is Professor of English at Hunter College, and Uganda where she has lived for many years.

Library vision

It is not only a gathering place for knowledge enrichment for the local community, but also serves as a window to the world via Internet technologies. Reading readiness and reading skills are offered as supplemental to primary and secondary schools as well as literacy programs for adults.

Since the late 1980s Uganda has rebounded from the abyss of civil war and economic catastrophe to become relatively peaceful, stable and prosperous. The people of Kitengesa will contribute to Uganda's future, and Africa's imprint on the rest of the world.

Library patrons

The people who use the library most are students and teachers in Kitengesa Secondary Comprehensive School, but some local residents use it regularly too. The library serves uneducated members of the community as well.

Funding

Until 2007, there have been three major funding sources, including: United Nations One Percent For Development Fund, Kitengesa Comprehensive Secondary School, and Friends of Kitengesa Community Library. Since 2007, in addition to these major sources, several organizations have made significant contributions, including: YouLead, FADA (Forestry for African Development Association), and TEAA (Teachers for East Africa Alumni).