Prepared by Albertina Shihawa, Haindaka, and Saraswathi Narayanan

1. Building bridges in public library service delivery :
A collaboration of
Otjomuise Community Library, Namibia & Full time Talik library vanur,
India
Communication channels?
 Email
 WhatsApp
 Zoom Meetings
Topics covered?
 Our professional profiles
 Public library service deliveries in Namibia and India
 The role that public libraries are playing in our communities
 How it is like to work in a public and community library set up both in South India
and Namibia
 The incorporation of project management in public library service deliveries
 Problems public libraries are faced with in both countries
 What more can be done to solve those problems
The future
 Keep in touch
 Exchange of experience
Challenges
 Different time zones
 Different work schedule
The Otjomuise community library is amongst the 64 community libraries in operation around Namibia. The library
was officially opened in 2015 with intend to serve as a free information and service provision centre with the aim
to meet the informational and educational needs of community members in the Khomasdal constituency, Khomas
region, Namibia. The library is under the leadership of Ms. Albertina Haindaka (Acting Librarian)
VISION
To provide the public with free and open access to a wealth of information through the delivery of services and pro-
grams. To serve as an institution in which community members can learn new skills and make use of ICT facilities.
MISSION
To provide, promote equal access to resources and services through Community Libraries in order to meet the in-
formational, educational and cultural needs of the community. Community Library Services seeks to encourage
reading and the use of current technology for life-long learning and the enhancement of the individual’s quality of
life.
OBJECTIVES
Deliver free ICT services to community members.
Analyse users needs and provide updated library collection
Support literacy by providing literacy materials and easy-readers for adult users
Grant borrowing rights to any member of the community once registered as a library members
Provide inter– library loan services
Ensure easy access to information through online catalogues.
Ms. Albertina Haindaka a member of ILNP 2023 also a li-
brarian at Otjomuise Community Library, Namibia, visited
M.H.Greef Primary School in the Khomas region to engage
primary school learners and teachers about the huge signifi-
cant role that libraries plays in education. This visit was to
also educate learners about the free provision of public li-
brary services which included: discussions on public library
available free provision of after school programs (homework
and project assistance, storytelling sessions, reading sessions,
basic ICT programs for school going learners) etc.
The event was held on 12th April 2023
and coordinated by Ms. Albertina Hain-
daka librarian at Otjomuise community
library in which the broad objective was
to engage young adults in community
development activities, by equipping
them with life-long learning information
and knowledge acquiring skills through
practical trainings to encourage young
people to embark on journeys that can
help them contribute towards the country sustainable development goal as well progress in their
personal livelihood.. The program aimed to empower young people with valuable job seeking
skills that can enhance their employability and equip them with skills for the betterments of
themselves and their communities. The
event was attended by eighteen (18)
youths which included: students and un-
employed graduates. This provided a
unique opportunity for the youth in
Khomasdal Constituency who may not
have had any mentorship regarding job
seeking and opportunities. The training
focused on various aspects such as: Cur-
riculum vitae (CV) and Application let-
ter drafting, online job seeking
(LinkedIn, NIEIS), Filling of Govern-
ment Application forms and basic Inter-
Contact Details : Albertina Shihawa Haindaka Email: ashihawa@gmail.com
Assistant Librarian — Namibia
Contact Details : Ms. Saraswathi Narayanan Email: saraswathithivenkat69@gmail.com
Librarian – India
During the period of, March 2023 – April 2023 the
The Otjomuise community library hosted two major events
Events One: School Visit Orientation
Events Two: Youth guide to the
job market
Ms. Saraswathi Narayanan is a librarian, in charge of Full time Talik library vanur, South India. The Full time Talik library vanur
library has only two full time librarians, with around 3000 subscribed library members. The library receives more than150 users
daily and more than 50 books are issued out to users daily. Through the period of March 2023-May 2023 the library conducted
many library activities, social awareness and programs which are useful for the development of the library. Saraswathi hosted all
this events with intent to expand the Full time Talik library vanur service delivery hence, a library is a growing organism.
Full time Talik library vanur, South India
Through our partnership we have realised that we have so much in common that we both love working with people and we are both passionate about information provision that is impactful to our community.
We will continue to be in communication and encourage each other to serve our communities with love and we look forward for future collaboration.
Events hosted from March 2023—May 2023
Student Summer vacation program
World book celebration
College girls student social awareness program