We need a Senior Librarian

My old and very dear friends at VSO finally posting the Job Description. This is where my love of Zimbabwe began. What goes around, comes around :D

We have had interest from Ireland already and have had one very good CV sent on. Anyone else out there? Here is the link!

Senior Librarian: As the volunteer senior librarian, your role aims to support the development of Harare City Library as it seeks to develop its services for the people of Zimbabwe.

Its a tough post people, with very few resources but you will have a very supportive Management Committee and a terrific time in Harare :)

Our Library Republic

Today the Harare City Library had its Annual General Meeting. It is held upstairs in an especially grotty corner of the main library along Rotten Row. The room overlooks a now deserted and dingy atrium. The mineral build up on the damp, warped and dripping ceiling could very soon be named 'stalagtites', beneath which worn speckled linoleum tiles fade and tear.

Still, into this environment some 30 library subscribers sat and listened to the Chaiperson's report and the Treasurers' Report from the Management Committee.

Then the action started.

As a library held in trust by the people for the people, ordinary committee members are nominated from the subscriber base and nominees elected by those paid up subscribers in attendance. All 8 candidates, of which I was one (regulations say I cannot stay co-opted forever), had to introduce themselves. Most spoke simply and honestly, others rallied and campaigned (sigh) and then we were all given a piece of paper with 8 names and told to tick 4 names. Quite exciting really.

So here I am, a full committee member with 2 years to make a difference. Crikey....

Auld Acquaintance

 Happy New Year to you and yours lovely blog reader :)

Having frittered away the festive season at home and with family and friends, it is sooooo hard to get back into 'organised' mode. There have been vague attempts at order and routine, but not the standard well planned stuff that pays the bills.  More likely a sudden onset military cleaning 'blitz' when I discover every towel in the house is wet and on the floor of the bathroom or that all the dishes are in the wrong cupboards when its time to set the table....

I also have to get back to normal eating patterns. Some days started as late as 11am [ I am blushing dear reader, I really am] breakfast and lunch were rarely two events and the withdrawal of anytime mince pies (stock out) is causing an outbreak of petted (pouting) lips and the drawing together of eyebrows.

Still, what did help me realise that responsibility awaited me was a lovely encounter at the supermarket today. There was I, buying school socks and perusing the bedlinen section at the Westgate Pick and Pay when a lovely young lady of around 12 years or so appears at my side with a purple waistcoat, brightly colored 'tackies' and red ribbons in her hair. She confidently announces to me,
     
       'You're the lady from the book fair last year'.

The last year bit had me flummoxed for a minute, then the penny dropped, the 2012 (aha!) Zimbabwe International Book Fair (Harare City Library runs a children's reading and storytelling tent in the garden).

        "Did you attend the reading tent?" I asked. Her enthusiastic nodding made me smile. How fabulous. We reintroduced ourselves. Nadine is keen to hear more stories. She attends Westridge school so either Mabelreign or Mount Pleasant could be options for her. I shared with her that we would be telling stories again at the Harare City Library. I thought that would be a good idea.

Then she asked when we were reading and I gulped.

        'Gosh' said I 'we haven't yet made a plan'.

        'How will I know?" she pressed. I was flummoxed again. I told her to check at the library where there should be a notice by the end of the month. I hope that is a start. I will make a special effort, I think, to let Westridge school know our plans.

So, its good to be back dear reader. My work and my library hats are being dusted off and set out on the chair.

More posts soon :D