Library Rebuilding in Afghanistan

1
Library Rebuilding in Afghanistan

• Project funded by the International
• Arid Lands Consortium (IALC)
• Sustainable Development of Drylands
• Project via a Cooperative Agreement with
• USAID-ANE.
• 1st phase completed in June, 2004
• by UA Librarian, Atifa Rawan,
• with assistance from the University of
• Arizonas Arid Lands Information
• Center (ALIC).
• 2nd phase follow-up underway,
• further progress.
• 3rd phase next steps, a
• comprehensive approach.

2
Acknowledgements The People Who Helped Atifa
Make It Happen

• Dr. Fayez, Former Minister of Higher Education
• Prof. Popal, Former President, Kabul University
• Prof. Mohsini, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture
• Dr. Wassimi, Executive Manager, ICARDA-Kabul
• Ismail Khan, Administrator, and College of
  Agriculture staff and student representatives
• Barbara Hutchinson and Carla Casler, ALIC, UA
• Bob Freitas, IALC
• Nicole Joos, TEEAL Project, Mann Library, Cornell
  University

3
Phase 1- What was accomplished in June 2004

• Created the first academic electronic library in
  Afghanistan.
• Remodeled and refurbished a facility.
• Purchased computers and equipment.
• Installed The Essential Electronic Agriculture
  Library (TEEAL, Cornell University) and other
  critical electronic resources.
• Established a partnership relationship with the
  ICARDA representative in Kabul for this project.
• Established relationships with the US Embassy and
  USAID officials in Kabul.
• Made the arrangements with Dean of College of
  Agriculture to hire a field coordinator for
  facility.

4
Library checkout desk before remodeling
5
First Step Cleaning the Room
6
Second Step Painting the Room
7
Hanging the Drapes Made for the Room
8
Electrical Wiring for Internet Access
9
Students organizing and sorting books
10
The Agricultural Electronic Library Ready for
Opening
11
Dr. Mohsini and the TEEAL Collection
12
The Grand Opening Ceremony-Ribbon Cutting by
Minister Fayez
13
Ribbon Cutting by Dr. Glover, US Embassy in Kabul
14
Student Making Speech at Grand Opening
15
The Reception after the Opening Two ICARDA
Representatives
16
Phase II - Follow-Up and Progress

• Current Library Status
• Open from 900am to 330pm
• Staffed by Mr. Madadi Project Field Coordinator
  and Kabul University Instructor, received UIUC
  Project agriculture training courses at NWFP-AU,
  Peshawar, Pakistan.
• Provides computer TEEAL training for faculty
  and students.
• Maintains facility, keeps statistics and contacts
  list.
• Receives training materials from TEEAL
  coordinator.
• Additional computers, furniture and supplies
  purchased.
• Draft Proposal for Comprehensive Agricultural
  Library Redevelopment
• submitted to USAID/Kabul and the US Embassy in
  Afghanistan in June 2004

17
Follow-Up cont.

• Expansion of the electronic library concept
  forwarded to USAID-Kabul, US Embassy-Kabul, and
  USAID-ANE, Summer, 2004.
• Discussions to establish collaboration were held
  in Fall, 2004 with USDA, National Agriculture
  Library.
• Suggestion of Scott Christiansen
• Multiple institutions involved including
  University of Illinois, Texas AM, and the Univ.
  of Arizona
• Close communications maintained with
• Mr. Madadi, Field Coordinator,
• Dean of Agriculture College,
• Minister of Higher Education,
• ICARDA Executive Manager in Kabul to ensure
  effective operation of the AEL

18
Follow-UP- cont.

• UA project participants and ICARDA Executive
  Manager met in Tucson in November, 2004. Efforts
  to formalize relationship with Dr. Wassimi and
  ICARDA are ongoing
• ICARDA is providing assistance in purchasing
  equipment, payment of Field Coordinator and
  definition of Internet connection issues.
• UA Project participants have completed several
  presentations and short articles.
• UA collaborating with Mortenson Center for
  International Library Programs, UIUC Library
• discussions and meeting held with Barbara J.
  Ford, Director, in January to define
  collaboration.

19
Follow Up- cont.

• The UA project participants submitted a
  complementary proposal for an Institute for
  Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to fund
  training for library staff of Afghanistan Higher
  Education Institutions.
• Sustainable Development Project Director, IALC,
  visited the AEL facility in Kabul in January,
  2005 and met with
• Dean of College of Agriculture,
• Project Field Coordinator
• Minister of Higher Education,
• ICARDA Executive Manager,
• USAID Mission Officer, Dan Miller,and Director,
  Patrick Fine, in Kabul.

20
3rd Phase - Next Steps

• Continue to develop comprehensive proposal with
  collaborators, U of A, UIUC-Mortensen Center,
  USDA National Agricultural Library, and the Kabul
  Office of ICARDA
• Proposal revised in December 2004 to include
  additional regional universities.
• U of A Librarian, Atifa Rawan, will provide
  training in Afghanistan of the electronic
  resources to Mr. Madadi and other faculty members
  in the College of Agriculture, Spring, 2005.
• Maintain and expand (as limited funds)
  capabilities of current facility and discuss
  comprehensive approach with USAID of Library
  Rebuilding in Afghanistan.

21
Afghanistan Regional Institutions
22
Atifa with students who worked organizing and
cleaning books