American Corner Bahir Dar
AC Opening Date: April 19, 2005
Host Institution: Aba Mengesha Geneme Public Library and Information Center, Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO)
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 337, Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Contact Person:
Ms. Zewditu Ambaw
American Corner Coordinator and Library Manager
Tel: (off) - 251-58-220-6342/3; (mob) 251-911-61-34-15
E-mail: amgplic@ethionet.et
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: Morning 8:00 AM – Noon; Afternoon 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Bahir Dar AC was established in April 2005 and it is hosted by Aba Mengesha Geneme Public Library and Information Center managed by the Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO). This American Corner is under the direct supervision of JeCCDO’s Bahir Dar Branch Project Manager. JeCCDO’s headquarters is in Addis Ababa and background information on JeCCDO can be found from their website: http://www.jeccdoethiopia.org/Home.html
The American Corner in Bahir Dar provides accurate and up-to-date information about political, economic, cultural, educational and social trends and values in the United States. This American Corner serves people from different walks of life with their scholarly, professional and personal needs in Bahir Dar town.
Partnership is an important aspect of American Corners, and our partner, JeCCDO has kindly provided the space at Aba Mengesha Geneme Public Library and Information Center and personnel for operation and maintenance of the corner. This American Corner also serves its users as a gateway to the information resources available at the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa by closing the geographical distance between regions.
Over U.S. $ 35,000 was spent to establish this center out of which $10,000 was secured to establish an HIV/AIDS resource corner co-located with the American Corner from President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Funding.
In addition to the furniture (computer desks, chairs, and book shelves) and equipment (computers, printer, TV set, VCR) provided by the US Embassy, the American Corner contains books, CD ROMs, videos, computers, Internet, etc. The print and electronic collections cover diverse subjects such as history, art, business, development, journalism/media, reference, U.S. government information, health and HIV/AIDS, etc.
Moreover, the American Corner’s space will be used as the venue for holding different activities in partnership with the host institution. Such activities may include but not limited to:-
- Public lecture venue for speakers, U.S. Embassy staff, scholars, professionals or scientists talking on diverse topics
- Focal point for networking USG program with businesses, academes, NGOs and other groups
- Serve as exhibit site
- Venue for locally generated programs such as film showing, and education advising on higher education in the United States for students from schools and colleges.