Residents of Mtendere Township have called on […]

Residents of Mtendere Township have called on relevant authorities to modernize the community library, noting that outdated facilities are limiting access to information and learning opportunities.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT former Mtendere Ward councilor Boniface Mwansa Chibeka said the library has not kept pace with the digital age and lacks essential resources such as computers and internet connectivity .

He said while there had been expectations that public libraries would be equipped with digital facilities, the Mtendere library had not benefited from such improvements. “The library is outdated. The books are old, the environment itself needs improvement, and there are no computers or WiFi,” Chibeka said.

He added that the absence of modern learning tools has made the facility less attractive, particularly to young people who increasingly rely on digital resources for education, research and job searches. According to Chibeka, the library offers limited reading materials and does not provide the range of educational resources that many community members require.

He said the lack of investment has contributed to low public usage, with relatively few people visiting the library outside school-related activities. Chibeka urged the relevant authorities to priorities upgrading the facility by introducing computers, internet access and current educational materials to make it more useful to the community. He said a modern public library would not only promote a reading culture but also help bridge the digital divide by giving residents access to information and online learning opportunities.

Article by Karen Ngulube