China Library launched in Tanzania

By Pang Li

China.org.cn, September 25, 2012

Chinese and Tanzanian officials jointly launched a library project entitled "China Library" that offers China-donated computers, digital books and printed publications at the National Central Library in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The launch coincided with the ongoing "Experience China" cultural exchange program on Monday, September 24, 2012.

Zhang Yanbin, a senior official from China's State Council Information Office, delivers a speech at a launch ceremony for the China Library at the National Central Library in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Monday, September 24, 2012. [Pang Li/China.org.cn]

The National Central Library has set aside a large reading room to house computers provided by Chinese computer giant Founder for the use of reading digital books. In addition to computers, China has donated 100,000 digital publications and another 1,000 print and video publications, all in English or Chinese. The equipment and publications combined are worth US$300,000.

At a launch ceremony, Zhang Yanbin, a senior official from China's State Council Information Office described the library as "another significant moment in a long history of China-Tanzania rapport."

Zhang said that the publications focus on China's politics, economy, culture, history, art and science, in addition to other topics. He said, "China will continue to provide the China Library with the latest publications and keep offering rich and diverse information on China to the Tanzanian people."

Dr. Alli Mcharazo, Director General of Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) under the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Tanzania, said the reading room would be maintained for three years according to a deal signed by China and Tanzania and accessible to the general public.

"These computers will certainly modernize our ICT [information and communication technology] room. They are certainly going to provide more ICT services for our users. The facility will also be used as a training room for our users," he said.

Lu Youqing, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, said he hopes the China Library will become "a new window for the Tanzanian people to learn about Chinese history, culture and reality, and a new bridge of our deepening traditional friendship as well."

Celestine Gesimba, Permanent Secretary of Tanzania's Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, said that the Chinese officials' visit to the National Central Library "reminds us of the ever-growing positive bilateral friendship existing between people of China and Tanzania."

"We earnestly believe that the computers and books you [China] have donated will provide useful knowledge to our communities and continues to bridge the digital divide," he added.

The "Experience China" program is an eleven-day event set to be held first in Tanzania then in Uganda. The ongoing Tanzania section has brought TV programs, variety shows and digital publications to the local people.