Sierra Leone News: ‘Hearts and Hands’ Resource Centre drives to revive quality-reading habits

Reading is rapidly changing from print to digital, while the culture especially the quality of the content being read is said to be dwindling in a hurry.
In Freetown there are a few resource centers and virtually all of them are in or around the Central Business District (CBD).
It is against this backdrop that the ‘Heart and Hands’ Sierra Leone Resource Centre was launched on Saturday at 5A Peninsular Road, Juba.
The resource centre has a Reference Library-The Dyck Harding Library, Computer Lab and a multipurpose conference room.
Speaking at the launch, the founder and executive director Yvonne Girbil explained that the Centre also provides tutoring in core public examinations subjects for students taking the WASSCE, BECE and NCTVA examinations, basic computer training classes as well as discipleship mentoring and counseling.
She noted that other programs include film shows, book reviews, spelling bee competitions, debate and quiz competitions, and outreach to orphans.
The Dyck Harding Library at Heart and Hands Resource Centre is mainly a research and reference library that contains books, teaching and learning materials for secondary school pupils, college students, youths and young adults.
It has over two thousand titles and limited periodicals. The Library has textbooks and other learning materials for secondary school pupils, reading and reference materials for college students in some disciplines and Christian literature for all ages.
Membership of the Library is open to school pupils, college students, youth and adults. Persons desiring membership of the Library should pay an annual registration fee of Le 16,000 for pupil; Le24,000 for students ; Le48,000 for adults.
Members should also pay Annual Library membership fees which is Le20,000 for pupils, Le36,000 for students and Le48,000 for adults.
She explained that interested members must complete the membership form and provide two passport-sized photographs for the Library Membership form and ID. For secondary school pupils and college students, the Library membership form must be signed by a guarantor who is either a principal, faculty head or religious leader. Members of the Library will be offered Internet facilities when installed at subsidized rates and access to learning materials that may be useful for acquiring academic vocational and other skills.
Keynote speaker, Professor Magnus John explained the difference between a Resource Centre and a Library. He said “the Resource Centre is like a data bank where you can access what you want depending on what your needs are…”
Dr Daniel Stevens promised to set up an e-Library at the center to provide users with access to digital resource materials.
As part to the centre’ s drive to foster quality education, a writing competition was organized and three pupils for the Sierra Leone Grammar School won first, second and third places. The prizes were presented during the launch.
By Ophaniel Gooding
Monday February 12, 2018.