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Fulbright Scholar Position for Literacy Programming and Children’s Librarianship Education in Zambia, in conjunction with the Lubuto Library Project

Background:  The Lubuto Library Project 

The Lubuto Library Project (LLP) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit, incorporated in January of 2005 to provide safe havens and opportunities for educational growth, discovery and joy through reading and enrichment programs for sub-Saharan Africa’s street kids and other vulnerable children by building and stocking secure, open-access libraries hosted and staffed by local social service agencies working with at-risk children. Lubuto Libraries fill an important gap in services to these children by providing a bridge to schools and social services that are beyond the reach of vast numbers of them.  Each Lubuto Library houses a first-rate collection of 4,000 books adhering to careful guidelines established by expert children’s librarians. The collections are assembled and classified by US adult and student volunteers in community service work. Local-language books are added to the collections in Africa. Library staff are trained by professional librarians to offer enriching programs and services.  In addition to regular read-aloud and book discussion activities, Lubuto Libraries offer programs in art, drama, storytelling, music, ‘motivational mentoring,’ health and HIV/AIDS and preservation of the environment. 

The Lubuto Library Project has a regional office in Lusaka, a registered Zambian NGO, and plans to build at least 100 Lubuto Libraries in Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda and other countries in the area hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  The first Lubuto Library was officially opened at the Fountain of Hope Drop-In Centre in Lusaka on 21st September 2007 by the First President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.

Need for Literacy Programming in Lubuto Libraries

Dr. Rick Henning, Education Advisor, USAID/Zambia, noted to a Lubuto representative in 2006 that the LLP program’s sustainability might be threatened by the fact that collections of excellent trade children’s books are virtually unknown in Zambia, and that Zambian teachers do not read to their students.  Also, Lubuto Libraries target the most vulnerable children, many of whom do not attend school. Thus, LLP recognizes the need to develop a literacy program that is based on trade books and can make best use of a comprehensive library collection and the library setting as the first step toward formal literacy training.  Such a program should be approached with the intention to raise understanding in Zambia’s education establishment of the need for reading aloud to children, and the value of children’s books.  This book-based literacy program must be designed to be carried out by nonprofessional library staff and community volunteers. 

Literacy experts have advised us that, while exposure to high-quality children’s literature is essential for developing a) knowledge of a wide range of words language structures; b) breadth and depth of knowledge/concepts through non-fiction literature, and c) an appreciation of both universal and specific human themes, it is not an effective way for most children to develop equally critical skills for learning to read (phonemic awareness, print-sound code in English, word recognition). Lubuto Libraries should concentrate on the unique role they can play that complements the formal educational system.  LLP and its advisors identified the need for a set of ‘lessons,’ to be produced for each of 10-12 core pieces of literature that are highly valued in the Lubuto Library community.  The objective is to develop a rich, well-supported system for reading aloud that will support volunteers to make the most of the existing Lubuto Library resources for developing the kinds of competencies that require high quality interactions with children’s literature.

In conjunction with developing this program, and in light of the need for teacher training that extends beyond Lubuto Libraries, we feel that the most sustainable approach to developing and implementing this program is for its development to be carried out by a Fulbright Scholar who would also teach the approach – as well as teaching library services to children and adolescents -- to education and library studies students in the University of Zambia’s Department of Education.  This approach is consistent with LLP’s obligations under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education, specifically to:

4.1 “… provide leadership in establishing standards of good library  practice, in supplying excellent and well-balanced book collections, developing targeted services and programmes, and constructing appropriate library buildings that are environmentally suitable and connected to Zambian vernacular building patterns, to meet national needs as identified by the Government of Zambia or the hosting agencies.

4.2 The LLP will recognize and cooperate with, other key the Government of Zambia bodies including the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, technical, educational and vocational colleges thereby enhancing the network of competent accredited  educational support structures for ophans and vulnerable children.

4.3 The LLP will assist the Government of Zambia in attaining the objectives of the Millenium Development Goals. In  particular, the LLP will –

      (i) Work with the Government of Zambia to identify appropriate local host agencies in conjunction with its resource centres on the Zone, District or Provincial level;

      (ii) Build open-access libraries that actively target ophans and vulnerable children, particularly those who cannot attend school, providing effective literacy and broad educational programs;

      (iii) Collaborate with the Zambia Library Association in promoting the use of its libraries; and

      (iv) Collaborate with the Government of Zambia in matters pertaining to the promotion of literacy and other library services in Zambia.” 
 

Fulbright Grant to support a Lubuto Literacy Fellow 

The Lubuto Project is encouraging qualified library professionals to apply for this Fulbright position to develop the literacy program and to teach children’s literature and library services to children at the University of Zambia, to both education and library studies students.   

While this position is with the University of Zambia, via the Fulbright Program, the candidate is expected to be working cooperatively with and in support of the Lubuto Library Project. 

Qualified candidates who are interested in the position are encouraged to discuss their application with Jane Meyers, president of the Lubuto Project.  Please contact her via webmail@lubuto.org

The preferred candidate will have a Ph.D. in a library-related field and expertise in teaching library and information science.  As Fulbright award #9109, the position will include a salary and living stipend for the candidate and his/her family for one year. 
 
Anyone interested in applying should take the following steps: 

1.  Review eligibility requirements for the Fulbright Scholar program at: http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/us_awards/Eligibility.htm

2.  Contact Dr. A. Ng’and, Registrar, at the University of Zambia's Registrar's office (registrar@admin.unza.zm) to request a letter of invitation in application for the position.   

Note: The opening is for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Applications will not be accepted until early March 2009.

5505 Connecticut Ave. NW, #368 | Washington, DC 20015-2601 | webmail@lubuto.org