ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN UGANDALIBRARIES IN UGANDA

bybythe Uganda Library Campaignersthe Uganda Library Campaigners

The Uganda Library CampaignersThe Uganda Library Campaigners

Group members are:Group members are:• Abu Baker MawejjeAbu Baker Mawejje - Member of the Board - Member of the Board

of the National Library of Uganda. of the National Library of Uganda.

• Esther Kyazike - A member of the Board of Esther Kyazike - A member of the Board of Trustees of Uganda Community Libraries Trustees of Uganda Community Libraries Association and is the Coordinator of the Association and is the Coordinator of the Kawempe Youth Centre.Kawempe Youth Centre.

• Dixon Ampumuza – Advocacy Manager – Dixon Ampumuza – Advocacy Manager – Media in Education, New Vision Group Media in Education, New Vision Group

• Arthur Baguma – Editor, Education Vision – Arthur Baguma – Editor, Education Vision –

Uganda Library CampaignersUganda Library Campaigners

• Gertrude Kayaga Mulindwa – Gertrude Kayaga Mulindwa – Director National Library of Director National Library of Uganda. Uganda.

• Gideon Kintu – Librarian – Mbale Gideon Kintu – Librarian – Mbale Public Library Public Library

Uganda Library Campaigners Uganda Library Campaigners

• Jennifer Nalwanga – Jennifer Jennifer Nalwanga – Jennifer works with the National works with the National Library of Uganda in the Library of Uganda in the Extension Dept. Extension Dept. • Alex Baingana – Librarian – Alex Baingana – Librarian –

Kabale Public LibraryKabale Public Library

The children’s Library in Hoima The children’s Library in Hoima

The Uganda Library Campaigners The Uganda Library Campaigners Action PlanAction Plan

Objective 1: Re-enforce Perception of instant Objective 1: Re-enforce Perception of instant association of libraries with association of libraries with information/knowledge storage information/knowledge storage

From the study, users (71%) and non-users From the study, users (71%) and non-users (69%) of libraries see libraries as places (69%) of libraries see libraries as places where information can be obtained. This where information can be obtained. This needs to be re-enforced in people’s minds needs to be re-enforced in people’s minds by ensuring that the needed information is by ensuring that the needed information is available in the librariesavailable in the libraries

Objective 2: To Advocate for and get Objective 2: To Advocate for and get more funding for library servicesmore funding for library services

Most participants in the survey including policy Most participants in the survey including policy level officials (85%) say that libraries are level officials (85%) say that libraries are underfunded.underfunded.

The team intends to lobby Parliament, the The team intends to lobby Parliament, the National Planning Authority and Ministry of National Planning Authority and Ministry of Finance by meeting with top level officials by Finance by meeting with top level officials by holding meetings with them.holding meetings with them.

Challenge is that there are many priorities that Challenge is that there are many priorities that the government is faced with. the government is faced with.

The solution is to encourage public libraries to The solution is to encourage public libraries to ensure that they are part of the development ensure that they are part of the development agenda in their respective communities. egagenda in their respective communities. eg

• Libraries supporting school work Libraries supporting school work • Libraries supporting health programmesLibraries supporting health programmes

Objective 3: To Advocate for Objective 3: To Advocate for integration of computer facilities and integration of computer facilities and

services in library servicesservices in library services Showcase the Electronic Information for Youth Showcase the Electronic Information for Youth

Employment (EIYE) project by having a grand Employment (EIYE) project by having a grand launchlaunch

Challenge Challenge Most libraries do not yet have computers and Most libraries do not yet have computers and

library staff are not skilled enough to use library staff are not skilled enough to use them.them.

Objective 4: To create a library Users Objective 4: To create a library Users advocacy groupadvocacy group

Get library users to tell their storiesGet library users to tell their stories

Encourage users to use social media to Encourage users to use social media to get their story out.get their story out.

Challenge – To get library users to be Challenge – To get library users to be conversant enough with technology to conversant enough with technology to use the social media to advocate.use the social media to advocate.

Objective 5: increase number of Objective 5: increase number of people benefitting from library usepeople benefitting from library use

• Encourage local library staff Encourage local library staff in 5 libraries to work with in 5 libraries to work with teachers in their communities teachers in their communities to integrate teaching with to integrate teaching with library activitieslibrary activities

• ChallengeChallenge

• Ensuring that the resources Ensuring that the resources available in the library are attractive available in the library are attractive enough to encourage the school enough to encourage the school communities to use the library communities to use the library regularly.regularly.

Thank you!Thank you!