First Public Library in Ratnanagar, Nepal

(excerpt from "The Extra Mile" District 5280 newsletter)

The 50,000-resident community of Ratnanagar, Nepal, has its first public library, thanks to a project between Districts 3290 and 5280. The Rotary Foundation contributed $12,250 in matching funds to augment the efforts of the co-sponsoring Rotary clubs of Ratnanagar, Nepal and Hollywood, and their districts. The total of $24,500 provided the means to build and furnish a library with books and six computers wired for Internet and e-mail.

The library came about as a result of Rotarian Don Riedel's 2000 visit to Ratnanagar. "There were so many young, illiterate people who wanted to learn reading, writing, and computer use," said Riedel, a member of the Hollywood Club, who served as the project's chairman. Nearly 50 Rotarians from Districts 3290 and 5280 worked with scholars to provide books on various subjects for all age, including reading and writing primers for children and adults.

"Namaste Dear Don,

"First of all, thanks for your mail. I've received the mail that you sent on 26th of October. I and our Rotary family are fine here and hope you are so and sorry for the delay reply because library was closed during Tihar festival. Please convey many, many thanks to all of you people who have supported us to establish this library.

"Our Ratnanagar Rotary Library is working in fine Condition. This library is playing vital role with local people, especially students. Feedback from different categories of user groups are positive and happy. The students from the marginalized society are coming here. They're unable to afford even their textbooks. This library is serving us well as some researchers are using it too.

"Yes! Local farmers come here and get ideas and information which is beneficial for their occupation.

"We are doing still trying to do a lot but we are facing the budget constraint. Within last 4 months five research students of post graduate level have completed their thesis by using this library and they are in a good job now. They are happy and gave thanks to the library, which we are taking it as our success.

"For the promotional activity, we have published some brochures, calendars, posters and also gave advertisement in newspaper & local FM. We have also started ambulance service for fundraising for the library which was sponsored by Rotary Club Ratnanagar & Balram Smriti Prathisthan.

"In conclusion, I can say that this library is playing a very significant role in the human resource development. It is helping the students, teachers, researchers, farmers, general readers, businessmen etc. But we're still lacking a lot. We are trying our level best to improve the library as per user demand. We feel proud and it is our good fortune that we have good friends like you people. Still, we are seeking a suggestion & cooperation from your side, in the future as well.

Sincerely yours,

Rtn Rajendra kumar Shrestha, Charted President
Rotary Club of Ratnanagar"

For more about this library, please visit www.rcci.org.np