La'o Hamutuk

The library of La'o Hamutuk,  the Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis only tells part of the story, if you only look at what is on the shelves.  Like many libraries, the online resources are very important too.  They have a website with very detailed information

and a blog with highlights.  They use plain language in their writing, so as many people as possible can understand what they are writing about.

All their publishing is in English and Tetum.

They have also made their online information available via a DVD as internet access is not widespread, and it is too expensive for many of the population, This may change with competition coming to telecommunications in Timor Leste.

This is how La'o Hamutuk describes itself (from their blog)

La'o Hamutuk is a Timorese non-governmental organization (NGO) which has worked since 2000 to monitor and analyze the activities of international and government agencies in Timor-Leste, to make development responsive to the needs and desires of the people. We focus on international institutions and systems, trying to protect food sovereignty and avoid the "resource curse" in petroleum-dependent Timor-Leste, as well as to enhance democratic governance and justice.
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La'o Hamutuk, hanesan Organizasaun Naun-Governmental (ONG) Timor-oan, ne'ebe servisu desde 2000 atu monitor no analiza atividade sira husi ajensia internasional no governmental iha Timor-Leste. Hodi hanoin katak dezenvolvimentu iha ne'e tenke responde ba povo nia nesesidade no povo nia hakarak. Ami foka ba sistema no institusaun internasional sira, atu proteje soberania ai-han no evita "malisan rekursu" iha Timor-Leste, ne'ebe depende makaas ba rendimento petrolifeiro. No mos atu hadiak liu tan governasaun ne'ebe demokratiku no justisa.

You can also read their mission statement.

Dili Institute of Technology

The library for the Dili Institute of Technology has an online library management system, and ten public access computers with internet access.  Staff are encouraging students to use online databases as well as the books in the library.

Universdade Dili – UNDIL Biblioteka

The library at the Universdade Dili currently has a manual loan system, with plans to move to Koha in the future.  The library has a book and journal collection for students. Internet access is planned for later in 2013.  The library was closed on the day of the visit.

a public library in Baucau

I can't be more precise than that, as there are two libraries it could be, but there is no sign on the library to narrow it down, and both the libraries have the same address which does not include a street name.

The good things about the library were daily news papers and a collection of publications about Timor Leste. It was good to see this local studies collection which could be used in the library and not borrowed.

The not so good areas include a 1973 copy of Popular Science encyclopedia - and it was not the only title of that age.

Computer and music classes are run for children most afternoons.

Another plus about the library was that it was open on Saturday - most aren't. However, without any sign saying it was a library, and being back off a main road, would make it much harder to find.

You can see more photographs of it here

Library for the Parliament in Dili, Timor Leste.

This is the sign which directs people to the library of the Parliament in Dili, Timor LEste


This is the Parliamentary Library, Dili, Timor Leste.  It has received funding from USAID, The Asia Foundation and the government of Portugal.  It uses the same library management system as the Parliamentary Library in Portugal. It relies heavily on donations for the collection.  It was a nice library to visit, and well used.  Anyone can come and use the library.  Mostly it is staff and researchers who are connected to the library and do research for parliamentarians.  Some university students use it as the Parliament is across the road from a university.  It appears to be an active, well used library, which is unusual in Timor Leste.

It is also unusual here because the library staff are either qualified or experienced.

You can see more photographs of this library in the slideshow below

Biblioteka Haburas Moris, NGO Roman Luan, Atauro Island

Biblioteka Haburas Moris was set up by the NGO Roman Luan.  This NGO is local to Atauro Island, just north of Dili.
 
 The library was set up in 2003. There is a mobile library (boat) when funds are available, to rotate book stock between the primary schools on the island. Two villages on the island are connected by a road, the others are either accessible by walking or by boat. The library collection is mainly books for children.

If given a donation of money they would like to select some appropriate titles for adults in English and Indonesian, mainly at a basic level of reading. It is is really important that staff are able to choose the material for their library themselves. The locals have made books in Tetun because limited materials are available in this language.  The books were lovely, featuring things local children would see as part of their daily lives.
 
The library does not have electricity, but it is very light because of the lattice instead of windows.
The roof is unlined. The library is half a block from the sea, and there are some breezes.

There was a nice space in the library with a table and about a dozen stackable plastic chairs.  The library was being used for information sessions for different sections within the community. 

The library had a really nice feel, and it was great to see local materials used in part of the building.  This would have save significantly on building costs.

You can see some more photographs of the library and books in Tetun in the slideshow below

 If you would like to give money to help this library, contact Libraries for Timor Leste. They have been responsible for funding the mobile (boat) library.  The people I spoke to about the library were very positive about the involvement of Libraries for Timor Leste.

While visiting this library I saw some donations of new books which should never have made it to this island as their subject matter and reading level did not suit the community they were intended for - this is why giving money is a much better option.

I will be in Timor Leste / East Timor for the next three months

Today I am at my usual place of work.  From tomorrow morning until late January, I will be in Dili, working in a government department, organising their library and training their staff. I appreciate that my current employer is giving me leave without pay for this time.

I was in East Timor almost eleven years ago for my previous employer who helped put a library in Maliana.   This photograph shows what much of Maliana looked like in 2002.



Some of my photographs of that library are in the slideshow below.