Services at the ageing Harare City Library may soon improve following an early Christmas package by The Embassy of Spain which has pledged to present a gala performance at the Reps Theatre Robinson Crusoe show on December 17, 2011.
{dropcap}S{/dropcap}ervices at the ageing Harare City Library may soon improve following an early Christmas package by The Embassy of Spain which has pledged to present a gala performance at the Reps Theatre Robinson Crusoe show on December 17, 2011.
Since its establishment in 1902 as the Queen Victoria Memorial Library, the Harare City Library has brought the pleasure of reading to generations.
^ Furniture in the dilapidated Harare City Library (picture courtesy of Petina Gappah).
The Harare City library needs to raise an estimated amount of US$400 000 to complete the restoration of the building which has for the past decade suffered damage and neglect. The most serious damage has occurred to books that get wet due to a leaky roof.
Zimbo Jam through some email exchanges gathered information that even though the night has been termed a gala; it is not a gala in the sense that artists shall performing for an audience. Instead this is a night reserved for the Harare City Library to fundraise.
To support this fundraising effort, the Embassy of Spain has bought all the seats for the performance and will support a drinks reception on the night before the main event. Tickets for the event cost $15 and the funds raised will go towards the restoration of the library.
– Zimbo Jam