Now open

At the National LibraryCity Centre, Lilongwe

Mon – Fri : 08.30-17.30

Sat: 08.30-15.30

Sun: Closed

The Centre is a partnership between the World Bank and the National Library

Services. The National Library is one of the most patronized areas in Lilongwe by those

who are thirsty for knowledge and information.

• The Bank signed an Agreement with NLS which governs the partnership.

• The library provides the space, internet connection, and staff to guide users.

• The Bank furnishes the Centre, provides publications on a continuous basis, and helps meet internet costs.

The Bank has already provided 5 computers and

furniture. The NLS activated internet connection. Tim

and Thomas here explain to the Minister the resources

available on-line.

Inside the Centre Centre entrance

The Centre has support from both the Ministry of Information and the Board of the National Library Services. Both the Chairperson of the Board Sheik Dinala Chabulika and the Minister of Information thanked the Bank for the initiative of taking its knowledge to the people and making it more accessible through a Centre outside Bank

premises.

“Through this Centre we expect that different types of users will access information to meet their needs and enhance their understanding of issues. With better understanding, we hope for increased participation in development issues. And when people understand and participate, they appreciate the need for accountability at all levels,” said Tim Gilbo, the Bank’s CM in Malawi.

The Role of Information and Knowledge in

Development

Ben Malunga from the University of Malawi delivered a keynote paper on the role of information in development. It helped explain the value of such a Centre in a developing country such as Malawi.

Other development partners such as gtz have already contributed

publications and videos in their specialised area of local governance.

They were also at the launch to explain what they have to offer.

And users of information from the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS were also at the Centre explaining how they think they will benefit from the array of HIV/AIDS information available at the Centre.

Those who witnessed the opening were kept captivated throughout the audio tour of the Centre and

the delivery of speeches

The Team that worked on the launch of the Centre