Library launched in Solwezi

SOLWEZI Municipal council has launched a library in Kimasala ward in Solwezi district, North-western province. Mayor, Nicholas Mukumbi, said the library was a vital part in the development of the education sector. Mr. Mukumbi said the launch of the library underscores the commitment that Solwezi Municipal Council has towards supplementing government efforts in providing such amenities in the education sector. He was speaking when launching the facility at Kimasala Hall. “The library further underscores the commitment our council has towards supplementing government efforts in providing such amenities in the education sector,” he said. He said libraries played a unique role in society as centres for learning, hubs for human interactions and safety nets. Mr Mukumbi said everyone could depend on such facilities where people could be empowered with tools to make informed decisions for the betterment of their lives. “The facility we are launching today will provide a safe and welcoming gathering place where people can explore ideas on a variety of issues and improve the reading culture,” he added. With the rising cost in books, Mr Mukumbi said the municipality had provided a readily available source of comprehensive information needed by all readers. He said the council appreciated the importance of education hence the move to open up libraries in areas closer to the community to decongest the main library in Solwezi town. Meanwhile, Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde chairperson, Goodson Sansakuwa, said he was delighted with the development. He added that it being the first of its kind, the library would help people without leaving anyone behind. “Indeed Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde is delighted with such development. People will come and learn new things and have knowledge”, he said Mr Sansakuwa said such facilities would help remove children from the streets as they would be kept busy. Solwezi Town Clerk, Bornwell Luanga, appealed to members of Kimasala community to continue supporting the council in order to bring more development. “We hope that you will continue supporting us,” Mr Luanga said. He said it was not the last one but that more of its kind would come so that all the five wards of Solwezi district could have a library. The library has been stocked with about 4,000 books from Kansanshi Mine, North-western provincial library, Legacy wide trade, the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University