Hilka Malakia
Schools with a strong library programme and a certified librarian have been linked to academic achievements. Librarians are essential to schools, as they help teachers to gather a range of texts to meet diverse student needs. They work with teachers to spark students’ interest in reading and support students as they evaluate the content they encounter in their research.
Hilka Malakia is a school librarian at Aussenkehr Primary School. Situated in Aussenkehr Farm, a farm on the banks of the Orange River in the south of Namibia right on the border with South Africa. With a population of 850 learners, the school falls within the Karasburg constituency of the //Kharas region and it is situated 24 kilometres downstream (Northwest) of Noordoewer. The school accommodates 850 pupils from Aussenkehr and nearby farms.
Malakia joined the public service in 2021 as part of the team that transformated library project in partnership with the German Foundation (Kinder Fördern Zukunft Stiften), the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, //Kharas Regional Council and the Directorate of the Namibia Library and Archives Services. Before joining the civil service, Malakia worked as a library intern at the Goethe Institute Namibia in Windhoek and job hunting at the same time.
Currently, Malakia manages all library resources at the aforementioned school as well as deals with enquiries from learners and staff members, by assisting them to access all the materials they need to learn and teach. Her day-to-day responsibilities include assisting learners, teachers and other school staff members, by providing information, recommending resources, and helping them navigate the library’s offerings.
She is also responsible for implementing engaging programmes and activities that promote reading, learning, and community engagement as well as providing information to staff on legal issues such as copyright, research, careers and reference materials.
Malakia plays a central role in supporting literacy initiatives in school. She works with volunteers, community organisations, and partners to collaborate on projects, events, and initiatives that enhance the library’s impact.
Born and raised in the city of Windhoek, Malakia is a librarian by profession. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Library Information Management from the University of Namibia, and she indicated that her library and information management skills allow her to organise and catalogue materials using appropriate classification systems accessible to maintain accurate records to ensure easy retrieval and access for library users.
Malakia strongly believes that the knowledge she gained from the university and her work experience contribute to the ministry’s efforts to enhance literacy rates and encourage a love for reading among learners.
“As I am involved in promoting a culture of reading and learning, I have provided insights on effective reading programmes, recommended appropriate reading materials, as well as assisting in developing literacy initiatives in school,” she said.
According to Malakia, being a civil servant and librarian is her calling “As I love to work with children, I have been committed to creating an environment that sparks curiosity and exploration,” she said.
She further said “Being part of the public service has brought excellent opportunities for me to progress as i got to learn new skills and gained qualifications. I have always dreamt of securing a job in the government to make a difference in the community most especially coming up with positive changes to benefit people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” she said.
There is no job without challenges and according to Malakia, the digital divide and the fact that the learners have come from diverse backgrounds and have varying reading levels, interests, and learning styles makes it complex. Tailoring library resources and services to meet these diverse needs while ensuring inclusivity can be a complex task, she said.
She, however, said, “Seeing the library classroom recognised as a vital component of the school’s academic ecosystem is satisfying for me.”
Asked about some of her work-related accomplishments, Malakia had this to say “My biggest accomplishment is collaborating with my project manager, Maike Reinhardt, on the Aussenkehr Volunteer Project, to assist with the establishment of the new school library that would benefit 850 pupils in Aussenkehr Farm. I also played a key role in expanding the current library classroom’s collection by identifying gaps in resources and acquiring some book donations, which made a huge difference, however, books can never be enough.”
She further said “Working at a school allowed me to collaborate with educators, administrators, volunteers from Germany and other professionals within the education system. This collaboration has been leading me to networking opportunities and a broader understanding of educational trends and best practices.”
Queried on her take on the public perception that civil servants are futile, Malakia had this to say “I disagree with the sentiment that people working in public institutions are unproductive and inefficient because most people do perform their tasks wholeheartedly, however, many public institutions operate with limited resources, which can impact their ability to deliver services efficiently. Budget constraints, staffing shortages, and outdated technology are among the factors that contribute to these perceived inefficiencies.”
Malakia is planning to serve in the public service and wishes to climb the ladder to the highest position in the library hierarchy.
“My biggest wish is to cultivate a habit of lifelong learning, exploring interests beyond the library field to enrich personal knowledge and most importantly, I would like to see the new school library establishment for Aussenkehr Primary School successfully running as it will have a massive positive impact towards the academic performance of learners and quality planning of the teachers’ lesson plans,” she concludes.