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COMMUNITY LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION OF UGANDA
(COLAU)
Uganda Community Knowledge Project (UCKP)
TRAINING REPORT
OCTOBER, 2023

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About UCKP
UCKP is a one-year pilot project that started in July 2023 with 5 community
libraries; Art of a child, Nagongera Public Library and Resource Centre,
CFYDDI Library, Nambi Ssepuuya and Nyungu Streams community
Resource Centre under the COLAU network.
Funded by Book Aid International, the project aims at providing digital
resources and devices, and training to support reading and learning
in under-resourced communities in Uganda.
Digital resources and devices
Through the supply of curated offline digital learning resources,
accessories and e-books, the project has provided for a Remote Area
Community Hotspot for Education and Learning (RACHEL) to each
library.
Similarly, each Tablet has been equipped with a Book smart application
by world Reader containing over 200 titles of children’s e-books.
This supports library staff, children, young people and adults in their
learning, reading and acquisition of digital skills training.
RACHEL offline hotspot
RACHEL
§ RACHEL device can be accessed in a
range of 50 meters from the server.
§ A variety of content can be
downloaded and added to RACHEL.
§ It can be accessed by even a smart
phone other than the Tablets.
§ It does not require internet to
connect

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Training
A three (3) days training of librarians was conducted on 3rd
- 5th
July, 2023
at PEFO Jinja Community Library. Each library was represented by 2
persons.
Participants were trained on how to use RACHEL and Book
smart, data collection, child safe guarding, storage and
security as well as Monitoring and Evaluation.
Representa)ves from COLAU
Par)cipants during an introduc)on session
Presenta)on on one of the training subjects
A par)cipant displaying her session feed back
knowledge sharing amongst librarians

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During the 3-day program, participants had an opportunity to try out their
skills acquired during the training by working/engaging with children and
teachers who use PEFO Community library.
Equipment
Each library received; 1 RACHEL, 4 extension cables, 10 Sam Sung A
Tablets, 1 storage safe, 2 counter books to act as borrowers and
attendance registers, and 1 power surge protector.
Items provided to libraries in order to implement ac2vi2es in their respec2ve communi2es
Par2cipants familiarizing themselves with the storage safes

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Challenges
• Power break downs during training
• The slow internet connectivity slowed down progress of the training
• Ratio of gadgets and users was not equal.
Solutions
• Solar power was used to back up the absence of electricity
• Alternative sessions that did not require internet were considered
during slow internet until there was stability.
• Group work was encouraged when working with children to serve
all users
Further steps
The project shall provide for each library UK Donated books as part of the
project package to accompany the digital gadgets.
Online assistance and guidance in solving issues shall be a continuous
process during and after the entire project period.
Conclusion
Our sincere appreciation goes to Book Aid International for their continued
support and work towards empowering community libraries in Uganda by
providing reading resources both in print and electronic formats as well as
building the capacity of librarians through such trainings.
Report by: Emmanuel Anguyo, Coordinator - COLAU