FSS donates books to the recently completed Abrhot AA Public Library
Forum for Social Studies (FSS) on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 donated 70 books to the newly established public library close to the National Place and the Federal Parliament in Addis Ababa.
FSS Executive Director, Dr. Yeraswork Admassie, handed over the books to the library’s management in the company of the current FSS Board Chair, Dr. Alula Pankhurst.
During the brief handing ceremony, Dr. Yerasswork expressed his heartfelt appreciation of the beauty and functional aspects of the building to the Chief Architect, Mr Yoseph, and noted that the donation of FSS’ own publications was a small gesture of delight felt by the FSS management on the successful completion of the state-of-the-art public library that will definitely promote the quest for knowledge.
The new library is housed inside a four-story building that also has basement space for service and car parking purposes. It shows off a beautifully mixed blend of old and modern architecture that measures up to the significance of its location. The carving of the 16 world scripts on the long and breathtaking pillars that stand tall along the eastern façade take the onlooker through the long road traversed by humanity in its quest for knowledge – hence the name of the library abrhot, meaning enlightenment in Geez.
Located at the southern tip of the education and fine arts corridor that stretches from Sidist to Arat Killo, it is graciously surrounded by Holly Trinity Cathedral, the Parliament House, the National Palace, Wodajinet Park, and the Ministry of Education, among others. Hence, the new public library is expected to be yet another valuable addition to the nation’s cultural and political center that is in the process of getting a face lift as well as to the only public library of its kind in the city, known as Bete-metsahift We-mezekir.
The richly furnished multi-purpose library building has spacious reading rooms, dedicated to children, the sight-impaired, the physically challenged as well as the general public, among others. It also boasts a café that is annexed to it, as well as some six well-designed small bookshops for specialized booksellers, which range along its backstreet. The library will officially open soon, according to the library managers.