American Corner Dire Dawa

AC Opening Date:  May 15, 2007

Host Institution: Dire Dawa Public Library

Mailing Address: P.O.Box 2880, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Contact Person: 
Mrs. Meselu Mezlekia
American Corner Coordinator and Library Manager
Tel: (off) - 251-25-1-123913; (mob) 251-915-75-33-88
E-mail: Meselumez@yahoo.com

Opening Hours:  
Open 7 days a week -
Monday-Friday: Morning 7:30 AM – Noon; Afternoon 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – Noon; Afternoon 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - Noon

The Dire Dawa AC was established in May 2007 and it is hosted by the Dire Dawa Public Library under the supervision of the Dire Dawa Culture and Tourism Bureau.  This American Corner library is dedicated to Rosa Parks and it 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 Dire Dawa town.

Partnership is an important aspect of American Corners, and our partner, the Dire Dawa Culture and Tourism Bureau has kindly provided the space at the Dire Dawa Public Library 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. $ 32,000 was spent to establish this center.
 
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.