"It Is Our Help" -- A Community Library In Rural Kwazulu Natal.

The hand written sign outside a community library reads "Strengthen the community of Ndodeni by joining the Community Library. It is our help." The library is the only brick building in this remote KwaZulu Natal village and is run by local women who are members of the non government organization The Family Literacy Project. This paper will tell the story of the library and how it has become part of the lives of many of the local families. 1 million children in South Africa live in homes where there are no literate adults and this poses a problem for their future because without the support of adults who believe in the importance of education these children and their families will find it difficult to make full use of any available learning and development opportunities. The approach of the Family Literacy Project with its three community libraries and eight library boxes is one way of supporting early and adult literacy development which in turn contributes to the overall development of under-resourced areas. This paper will trace the growth of the FLP and focus on how the provision of a box of books began an interest in reading for both Information has been collected over a number of years through interviews with neighbours by newly literate FLP members to gauge their interest in the provision of a library; explanatory stories of photographs taken by FLP facilitators to track changes in reading habits within the community; and the results of focus groups held with library users as well as those who have not yet joined with the aim of discovering the perceived benefits of the library and the role it can play in the development of the village. In this case study of the growth of a community library, the importance of literacy development and how necessary libraries are in extending the knowledge of families living in isolated and under developed areas will be highlighted. The difficulties and successes will be considered in order to provide ideas for those in similar situations who want to support grassroots development. The power point presentation will include photographs of the area and community members, and a project booklet on how to run a community library will be on display [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]