President's Message - Nepal Library Foundation After Ten Years

Nepal Library Foundation, Canada celebrated its tenth anniversary in March 2015. Our founding mission statement was to ‘support library development in Nepal and the establishment of a national library system’.

Our work on the ground started in 2007 when we donated over 7000 books and seven computers to The Society for Kathmandu Valley Public Libraries. To date NLF Canada has raised over $150,000.

This has directly supported the establishment of over 40 libraries in Nepal. It has supplied 150 computers and tens of thousands of books to libraries across the nation, from Humla in the North to Simara in the South; from Danghighat in the East to Tikaphur in the West. It also provided startup and support funding of over $50,000 to Open Learning Exchange, Nepal (OLE) to help establish Nepal’s first digital library and knowledge repository, the e-Pustakalaya.

The NLF has developed into an effective support agency for schools, colleges and communities who want to establish or upgrade libraries. It has developed and implemented a government recognized training program for library management and, in conjunction with OLE, a course in network deployment of the local server based e-Pustakalaya to substantially reduce installation costs of the resource.

It has introduced reading clubs, established education and information centers in earthquake affected areas and developed computer training programs specifically for women in rural areas.

Our work has been possible only because of the generous financial support we have received from Non-Resident Nepalis and friends of Nepal worldwide. Enthusiastic, committed volunteers are at the core of our success. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to them. There is a lot more to do and we look forward to the continued support of our donors and volunteers.