LCC public libraries to go e-book

By LINDA SOKO TEMBO THE Lusaka City CouncilLCCis to embark on a major facelift of public libraries in the city that would see provision of internet services.

Speaking during the official launch of a public library at the Irish community centre in Lusaka’s Kamanga compound, LCC Director of Housing and Social Services, Boyd Kaoma said government intends to renovate all public libraries in the city and provide internet services to ensure that Zambia’s future leaders have access to updated information.

Mr Kaoma said President Lungu had put an emphasis on developing a smart Zambia hence the decision by the local authority to move in that direction.

Mr Kaoma said LCC would ensure that all libraries were fully stocked with the required books adding that the local authority was also connected to the internet for readers to have access to online books.

“As the President has said, we have to run a smart Zambia, so we want to ensure that library services with our city follow suit.

“These days you cannot just depend on hard copies, you are also supposed to go online to ensure that latest and updated modern information is accessed by our readers,” he said.

Mr Kaoma also encouraged young people to take advantage of the new facility so that they could be well informed and improve on their lessons.

Meanwhile Chakunkula ward 32 Councillor, Smart Mwitwa, was delighted with the newly opened facility saying he had seen the need for the ward to inculcate a service of leadership among young people in his ward.

The civic leader said the library had been renovated at a cost of K10, 000 courtesy of the Irish embassy who assisted them adding that there was also support from the local authorities in Chakunkula ward.

“We have received books from different stakeholders although they may not be enough but it’s something that we can start with,” he said.

Mr Mwitwa explained that they had also written to MTN if they could be assisted with WIFI so that people could have access to internet.