American Corner Harar

AC Opening Date:  December 8, 2004

Host Institution: Harar College of Teachers Education

Mailing Address: P.O.Box 13, Harar, Ethiopia

Contact Person: 
Mr. Abera Demissie
American Corner Coordinator and
Library Manager
Tel: (off) - 251-25 666-4909 / 0135; (mob) 251-915-75-66-49
E-mail: aberademissie98@yahoo.com

Opening Hours:  
Monday-Friday: Morning 8:00 AM – Noon; Afternoon 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - Noon  

The Harar AC was officially opened in December 2004 and it is hosted by the Harar College of Teachers Education (formerly known as the Harar Teachers Training Institute - TTI) and this library is named after Abraham Lincoln. 

The American Corner in Harar 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 Harar town.

Partnership is an important aspect of American Corners, and our partner, Harar College of Teachers Education has kindly provided the space 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.