Library Rebuilding in Afghanistan

Project funded by the International Arid Lands Consortium (IALC)

Sustainable Development of Drylands Project via a Cooperative Agreement withUSAID-ANE. 1st phase completed in June, 2004

by UA Librarian, Atifa Rawan, with assistance from the University of Arizona’s Arid Lands Information Center (ALIC).

2nd phase follow-up underway, further progress.

3rd phase next steps, a comprehensive approach.

Acknowledgements: The People Who Helped Atifa Make It Happen

Dr. Fayez, Former Minister of Higher Education Prof. Popal, Former President, Kabul University Prof. Mohsini, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture Dr. Wassimi, Executive Manager, ICARDA-Kabul Ismail Khan, Administrator, and College of Agriculture staff and

student representatives Barbara Hutchinson and Carla Casler, ALIC, UA Bob Freitas, IALC Nicole Joos, TEEAL Project, Mann Library, Cornell University

Phase 1- What was accomplished in June 2004

Created the first academic electronic library in Afghanistan. Remodeled and refurbished a facility. Purchased computers and equipment. Installed The Essential Electronic Agriculture Library (TEEAL,

Cornell University) and other critical electronic resources. Established a partnership relationship with the ICARDA

representative in Kabul for this project. Established relationships with the US Embassy and USAID

officials in Kabul. Made the arrangements with Dean of College of Agriculture

to hire a field coordinator for facility.

Library checkout desk before remodeling

First Step – Cleaning the Room

Second Step – Painting the Room

Hanging the Drapes Made for the Room

Electrical Wiring for Internet Access

Students organizing and sorting books

The Agricultural Electronic Library – Ready for Opening

Dr. Mohsini and the TEEAL Collection

The Grand Opening Ceremony-Ribbon Cutting by Minister Fayez

Ribbon Cutting by Dr. Glover, US Embassy in Kabul

Student Making Speech at Grand Opening

The Reception after the Opening – Two ICARDA Representatives

Phase II - Follow-Up and Progress

Current Library Status Open from 9:00am to 3:30pm Staffed by Mr. Madadi – Project Field Coordinator and Kabul

University Instructor, received UIUC Project agriculture training courses at NWFP-AU, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Provides computer & TEEAL training for faculty and students. Maintains facility, keeps statistics and contacts list. Receives training materials from TEEAL coordinator.

Additional computers, furniture and supplies purchased. Draft Proposal for Comprehensive Agricultural Library

Redevelopment submitted to USAID/Kabul and the US Embassy in Afghanistan in

June 2004

Follow-Up – cont.

Expansion of the electronic library concept forwarded to USAID-Kabul, US Embassy-Kabul, and USAID-ANE, Summer, 2004.

Discussions to establish collaboration were held in Fall, 2004 with USDA, National Agriculture Library. Suggestion of Scott Christiansen

Multiple institutions involved including University of Illinois, Texas A&M, and the Univ. of Arizona

Close communications maintained with: Mr. Madadi, Field Coordinator, Dean of Agriculture College, Minister of Higher Education, ICARDA Executive Manager in Kabul to ensure effective operation

of the AEL

Follow-UP- cont.

UA project participants and ICARDA Executive Manager met in Tucson in November, 2004. Efforts to formalize relationship with Dr. Wassimi and ICARDA are ongoing ICARDA is providing assistance in purchasing equipment,

payment of Field Coordinator and definition of Internet connection issues.

UA Project participants have completed several presentations and short articles.

UA collaborating with Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, UIUC Library: discussions and meeting held with Barbara J. Ford, Director,

in January to define collaboration.

Follow Up- cont.

The UA project participants submitted a complementary proposal for an Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to fund training for library staff of Afghanistan Higher Education Institutions.

Sustainable Development Project Director, IALC, visited the AEL facility in Kabul in January, 2005 and met with: Dean of College of Agriculture, Project Field Coordinator Minister of Higher Education, ICARDA Executive Manager, USAID Mission Officer, Dan Miller,and Director, Patrick Fine, in

Kabul.

3rd Phase - Next Steps

Continue to develop comprehensive proposal with collaborators, U of A, UIUC-Mortensen Center, USDA National Agricultural Library, and the Kabul Office of ICARDA: Proposal revised in December 2004 to include additional regional

universities. U of A Librarian, Atifa Rawan, will provide training in Afghanistan of

the electronic resources to Mr. Madadi and other faculty members in the College of Agriculture, Spring, 2005.

Maintain and expand (as limited funds) capabilities of current facility and discuss comprehensive approach with USAID of Library Rebuilding in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Regional Institutions

Atifa with students who worked organizing and cleaning books