“AlKarama Libraries”
Questions & Answers: Public and Popular Libraries Initiative
Question: What is this initiative?
Answer: it is the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information initiative which aims to establish five public libraries in the popular areas in Cairo and the regions. It will provide reading and borrowing services in a hall prepared for this purposes. AlKarama Libraries are for everyone; young males and females, children and male/female elders.
Q: why do you establish these libraries? Why in the popular areas?
A: Because we believe that science, knowledge and awareness are the weapon of the citizen in any new democratic country, that desires to progress. In addition, the educated and cultured person can understand, defend his rights and can participate in developing the country.
We have chosen the popular areas, because it is poorly served. Most of the basic needs are not existed. If the various governments are obliged to provide the services and utilities like “electricity, water, sanitation and etc..,”, the civil society must participate, as possible, in providing the other services like awareness, knowledge and legal aid. Most of these areas are over populated so preparing a place in which the citizens, young or children, could read in, was among the goals of establishing the libraries. In particularly, most of them are talented and have creative capabilities, therefore, we have to assist them to develop it through reading.
Q: Where are these libraries?
A: until now we have “Khatwa” library in Dar-El-Salam, building no. 7 Abdul-Sam’a mansour st., of El-Fath st., Gazeerat Dar-El-Salam”. Moreover, AlKarama liberary in Zagzig and its address is “Abu-Baker El-Sadik st., of Kolyet El-Zerah, Zagzig”. In addition, AlKarama liberary in “Desmi” village in “El-Saf”. Another two liberaries are in the process of being rented in some popular areas and we will announce all about them soon.
Q: where are you getting these money from?
A: from the international award that was granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Mr. Gamal Eid, in November, under the name of advocating the human dignity. “Human Dignity Foundation” in Germany granted him the award and then we have decided to let the award go to people through providing them with an activity that could be useful to them. There are nothing more important that reading, knowledge and awareness.
Q: why do not you spend it on other projects?
A: there are no initial rejection, but the award is a fixed finical amount. So we decided that the public libraries are the best we could provide to people. Whenever you provide the citizen, regardless the ages, with a book, it will be beneficial to them. Books will increase your awareness in an application of the Chinese proverb “do not give me a fish but teach me how to fish”.
Q: how many library?
A: the initiative includes five liberaries, one has finished on May 2012 and other two were rented in El-Saf and Zagizig. We are working to establish other two.
Q: How could I help and support?
A: you could grant books to the library. You could also tell your friends to donate by their extra-books, drawing tools and/or office tools. If you have free time and you would like to provide help to the library visitors, like: teaching English, drawing, music or acting. Furthermore, you could circulate the idea of the library among your contacts.
Q: How could I send to you the books? Do you accept certain books?
A: you could send it directly to the nearest library to you or you could send it to the head quarter of ANHRI which is located on (appt. no. 5, building no. 10 Elwi st., of Qasar El-Neil st., behind the central bank, down town) and then it will distribute it on the libraries according to its need or ANHRI could send someone to receive the books and send it to any of the five libraries.
Q: what would I get from donating my books or from volunteering by my time?
A: nothing but the feeling that you have participated in a wonderful work to these neighborhood mases which is reading, knowledge and raising their awareness. The feeling of giving can’t be compared.
Q: Are these libraries affiliated to any groups or political parties?
A: no, the libraries are not affiliated to any party and political or religious groups. They are service provided to everyone (female and male youth, children, adults and Christians which means for everyone). The libraries are established due to the desire to provide a real thing to the masses of the popular neighborhoods without exceptions and do not promotes any political or religious doctrine.
Q: What are the types of books in the libraries?
A: every type of books; literature, political, religious, scientific, children, English, historical, study and others, as the visitors are varied so are their interests too.
Q: What is the age of the visitors?
A: all the ages are welcome, starting from six and up to no limits, it is available to everyone likes to read.
Q: Do you have other activities in the library?
A: We have the ambition to provide lessons related to drawing and English, in addition to literature and artistic competitions. We have started already and we are waiting for your assistance to develop such activities.
Q: Do you have contact means, Facebook account or Internet link?
A: yes we do have a group on Facebook:
Khatwa: https://www.facebook.com/
AlKarama: https://www.facebook.com/
At the end, this page will be modified according to the developments of the libraries. These libraries won’t be developed without your efforts.
