Building a school library in Dawasamu, Fiji

Of all the work the Dawasamu Community Project has carried out alongside the communities of Dawasamu, in rural Fiji, one of the most rewarding has been rebuilding the library at Navunisea District Primary School after it was destroyed by Cyclone Winston in 2016. Seeing how central it has become to the children's learning in the years since has made the effort more than worthwhile.

A library matters most in communities where children have little other access to books, whether because families are on low incomes or because schools are under-resourced. Being able to borrow a book, or simply sit and read one, plays a significant part in a child's development and in building strong reading skills. Without those resources, too many children leave school with very limited literacy. The chance to help Navunisea District Primary School create a safe home for a large donation of books, ranging from storybooks to reference works, was one we were glad to take.

Turning a building into a working library took careful thought. Once construction and painting were finished in early 2018, the books were sorted and organised: reading books colour-coded by level, and reference books arranged by subject, from history to geography. Research on what makes a library inviting guided the layout throughout, on the simple principle that children are far more likely to visit and take part when the space is welcoming and attractive.

Studies suggest a good school library should hold between roughly 300 and 600 books, span a wide range of reading difficulty, offer a variety of genres, include fresh titles with appealing covers, and above all feel like a place children want to be. With that in mind, the new library was divided into three sections. The first is a quiet reading area, screened by bookshelves and softened with cushions and a mat, giving children a comfortable, semi-private space to settle down with a book. The second is the reference section, clearly labelled and grouped by category so pupils can quickly find what they need for a project. The third is a bright, open area for small-group teaching, with plenty of room for a literacy group to work together.

The library has since hosted a great many lessons and activities, and the children clearly relish the choice now open to them. Classes have dedicated library time, during which pupils can pick a book to read on their own or gather for Storytime and listen to one read aloud. Reading aloud is a wonderful teaching method: it strengthens literacy, sparks imagination, sharpens listening skills and prompts children to ask questions.

The chance to walk into a library, choose a book and read it really does shape how a child learns. As Dr Seuss put it, the more that you read, the more things you will know. To find out how you can support community-led work of this kind in Fiji, in genuine partnership with local schools and families, get in touch with The Impact Network about the Dawasamu Community Project.