Nepal Library Foundation News Update - May 2011

NLF Initiative with the Government of Nepal

For the last two years, Dr. Shiva Gautam of Nepal Library Foundation(NLF) has been lobbying the Government of Nepal (GoN) to allocate funds to start an ICT based education pilot project and e-library in Nepal. NLF believes that ICT based learning in all Nepali schools will be impossible without GoN’s unreserved commitment. The foundation president Naresh Koirala and board member Dr. Shiva Gautam recently flew to Nepal for a meeting with GoN in this regard.

The meeting held in March 16, 2011 was chaired by Mr. Leela Mani Poudyal, Cabinet Secretary of GoN. Besides Naresh Koirala and Shiva Gautam, representatives from Ministry of Education (MoE); Ministry of Finance and Kathmandu University and Open Learning Exchange (OLE), Nepal attended the meeting. Mr Narayan Krishna Shrestha, Under Secretary of the MoE presented a paper outlining the MoE’s vision of ICT based education and e-library to the meeting. After nearly two and a half hours deliberation it was agreed that MoE will revise the paper based on NLF, OLE and other participants' input and submit it to MoF for approval. NLF provided comments on the paper about a month ago; we understand the paper is currently being revised.

Saraswati School

In February, 2011 Nepal Library Foundation, through OLE, completed teachers' training to interactively use 50 OLPC (laptops for students) in Saraswati School, Janakpur. The computers were donated by Mr. Aditya Jha of POA Foundation, Canada in 2008 and had been stored in Janakpur CDO’s office for the last two years. Naresh Koirala recently visited the school where he met with teachers and obtained their feedback.

Presentation to Members of Parliament

On March 30, 2011 at the invitation of The Fundamental Rights and Directive Principle Committee of Constituent Assembly of Nepal, Naresh Koirala updated the members of the Committee of NLF’s work and advocated the need for legislation on Libraries and GoN commitment to develop libraries in Nepal. Hon. Binda Pandey, Chairperson of the Committee chaired the meeting attended by 16 lawmakers and a number of other public figures. The lawmakers showed interest in NLF’s work and asked a variety of questions.

Shree Ranpal Secondary School and Community Library Inaugurated
NCC Finland financed through NLF, the management, training and building of Shree Ranpal Secondary School and Community Library in Morang. The work has been completed. A number of local dignitaries and hundreds of community members attended the inauguration.

Content Development

The OLE completed second phase of e-library development in February 2011. The NLF has been financing the development of the library which has over 2200 holdings of Nepali Literature including children's educational materials. The access to the E-library is free. Please visit OLE website at http://www.olenepal.org/e_pustakalaya.html. NLF will continue further development of the e-library.

Visit to Prakash Library and Subodhi Mahananda Pragyik Library

Naresh Koirala visited Prakash Library in Shreekhandapur (near Banepa Municipality) which has been assisted in part by the foundation and Subodhi Mahananda Pragik Library in Simara in Malangwa. NLF has supported Prakash Library since its inception and is planning to provide books and train a library in Subodhi Mahananda Pragik Library. Prakash Library has developed into a well functioning library. They are requesting support for computers and audiovisual equipment. The books to the library in Simara will be sent in April 2011 and the training of the librarian will commence soon after.

Other News

• A presentation at “Global Education Symposiums for High School Students on the UN Millennium Development Goals” was given to students by the president of NLF at Capilano University on March 5, 2011. Students asked questions and some showed interest in fund raising activities for the Foundation. A similar presentation was given by board member Dr. Ramjee Parajuli on March 11, 2011, this time at Willingdon Church, Burnaby.
• The Foundation participated in Nepali Film Festival organized by Trans Himalayan Aid Society at Langara College, Vancouver, Canada.