THE Kuru Kururu Reading and Research Centre continues its drive to promote reading at all levels. Staffers at the facility believe that the reading environment should be made safe and comfortable and other basic needs for the children targeted, should be met; these measures can go a far way towards encouraging them to read.

This is the view expressed by Junior Librarian at the Centre, Nelana Pereira, whose responsibility is to help children with reading and teaching them how to use the library when they get there. The library, Pereira said, is opened up for reading by pupils of Grades One to Six between 12:00hrs to 14.00hrs, Monday through Friday, but there are constraints.

Resources needed

“If we are going to promote reading, we need more books — a lot more. Even though there are some who use the computer, not all want to or can use the computer for their research,” she said. She quickly remembered however that of the three computers at the Reading and Research Centre, only one is working, so immediately they are put at a disadvantage. The centre would, therefore, appreciate a gift of computers, in addition to books for which there is a dire need at this juncture.

The Pepperpot Magazine observed, during a visit to the location, that there is also a need for furniture in the library – both tables and chairs, but more importantly chairs; when they have no chairs or benches on which to sit, they have to sit on the floor. That, too, can serve as a deterrent to visiting and using the library.

As of March 2019, no potable water has been going upstairs, so that each time there is need to use water in the building, it has to be fetched upstairs in a bucket.

Several months ago a high wind sent a huge nearby tree crashing onto the back stairs. The stairway was completely destroyed, leaving only the platform, which cannot now be used. The back fence was also torn down in the process and needs to be replaced.

The roof is also leaking and there are bats in the ceiling which constitute a nuisance, as well as a health hazard. It is particularly dangerous to the health of the children intended to use the service.

Stakeholders are hoping that they can somehow get assistance in these areas, so that they can continue to serve the needs of the children and by extension, the residents of Kuru Kururu.