No adults allowed
Learning for all ages at the Bibliotheca.
Amira El-Noshokaty reports
Tucked away on the first floor of the new Alexandria Library is a room that would probably not have been found in its legendary ancient predecessor. Arabic, English and Braille alphabets hang next to children's art work on blue, yellow and green walls, and Arabic and English children's books crowd red shelves.
This room is the Children's Library at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Although it is a relatively small space, with a capacity for only about 120 children, its aims are much larger. "Our main goal is to bring up a new generation with positive attitudes towards books, information and research. It is our duty to give these children all the tools they need to become future leaders," explained Layla Abdel-Hady, director of Library Services at the Bibliotheca Alexandria.
Abdel-Hady explained that the Children's Library is small because it was not included in the library's original plan. "The idea came up during our soft opening in October 2001, when many schools brought children to the library. Dr Ismail Serrageddin figured it would be illogical not to make a place for kids," she said
The Children's Library was situated next to the Young People's Library for 12 to 18 year-olds. According to Inji Abdel-Kader, head of the Children's Library, between 500 to 700 children visit the library daily.
According to 11 year-old Essam Maher, one of 10 junior assistants at the library, the Children's Library has it all. "I love to come here, and I feel happy and useful when children ask me for help. Before coming here I was so bored. Now I read stories to kids, and I joined the puppet show team too," boasted Maher.
The Children's Library keeps its agenda full all year round. Besides a host of competitions, there are regular sessions on health, nutrition, first aid and teamwork, as well as skits where children act out a story they just heard. There are also workshops on numerous topics, such as Arabic calligraphy, agriculture and handicrafts.
"We are lucky that Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not just a library, but more of an integrated cultural complex with museums and exhibition areas. We have several means to nourish the children," Abdel-Hady explained. For example, after a tour of the Museum of Antiquities, the children are encouraged to write something about the visit, and then draw a picture or construct a handicraft that expresses their understanding of what they saw.
Another programme, inspired by "Reading for All", brings in authors of children's stories to lead the session.
The "Research for All" programme, for children nine years old and up, helps children understand how to obtain information in the library or from the Internet. A group of children will pick a topic and research it as a team, then prepare exhibits and present them to the group. In addition to research skills, the programme helps children develop public communications skills as well. "Many Egyptians find it difficult to express themselves clearly. This kind of activity aims at bringing up a generation with developed communications skills," added Abdel-Hady.
Another programme allows kids to select a book they like, print it themselves, bind it and take it home. Abdel- Hady said the library plans to make the programme mobile in the near future, hoping to reach children in rural areas without much access to books.
The Children's Museum is also collaborating with the International Education and Resource Network (IEARN), a non-profit global network that enables young people to use the Internet and other new technologies to engage in collaborative educational projects. The joint project focusses on the history of Alexandria, and publishes a small magazine.
"Participating in the [IEARN] project I learned that there is nothing better than team work," said Maher. "It took seven of us six hours to draw a chart, because we weren't cooperating and fighting amongst ourselves. Our chart was ruined as a result. But when we worked together, we made it in three hours and it was great. Perhaps the older children should consider writing special stories for the younger kids that reflect these experiences," Maher commented.
But some younger children at the library have already succeeded in writing their own books. A gold-coloured, handmade book in the shape of a kitten was written by six year old Alaa Adel. It is titled "I and my cat locy". Inside, large letters written in pencil tell the story. "My name is Alaa Adel, I have six years old, I have one kitten."
Although the kids enjoy going to the Children's Library on their own, some parents are not pleased they are not allowed inside with their children. According to Abdel-Kader, "The whole point of not letting parents into the children's library is to give the child a chance to pick whatever book he or she likes. Lots of people come and tell me, 'I want my child to read such and such book'. But this is what the parent wants, not the child. We want children to read whatever they like."
"I am very happy that my daughter comes to the library," said Ghada Ibrahim, the mother of seven-year-old Salma. "But I am curious to know how she behaves inside. I think it would be great if the parents could see their kids doing activities in the library," suggested Ibrahim.
From the Children's Library, a big door leads to the Young People's Library, an area dedicated to kids between 12 and 18 years old. The hall, which can be used by about 100 people, has nine computers with Internet connections, a special section for the visually impaired, and an audio-visual set-up with all kinds of scientific information, news and documentaries. The shelves are loaded with books varying in language and topic, including fiction like Lasta Wahdak (You Are Not Alone), by Youssef El-Seba'ie, Areni Allah (Show me God), by Tawfiq El-Hakim, as well science books and encyclopedias. Moreover, programmes at the Young People's Library include more sophisticated versions of the Children's Library activities. "We had almost 600 visitors daily between June and September," explained Rawia El-Fayoumi, a staff member at the Young People's library.
Among the visitors was 12 year old Fadi Victor. "I love the library because I can read whatever I want. I come here to read mystery books. It would be unbelievable if people from all over the world came to visit the library and I, from Alexandria, did not go and see it. I think this is a great place. But, I wish I was allowed to enter the adult reading area." But to 12 year-old Baher Wahid, the best thing about it is the computers. "Besides, this is much better than my school's library. Here they have encyclopedias," exclaimed Wahid.
With his eyes glued to the monitor, 14 year-old Mina Rawi took a quick break to talk to us. He first heard about the library from friends who encouraged him to check it out. He was not disappointed when he did. "I think it is exceptional, it has lots of good books. Also, using the Internet here is much faster than at home," explained Rawi.
As for 13-year-old Rana Mamdouh, it is a place to seek knowledge and it encourages her to continue reading, especially now that she is starting her own little library at home.
