Background

In a bid to provide adequate and relevant information to Health staff, PLHIVs and Partners involved in HIV/AIDS response, a Mini Library was organized and stocked with 1,195 HIV/AIDS-related Publications from 2002 to 2007.

However, due to the quest for a wide range of information on HIV/AIDS and other related fields (Reproductive Health, STIs and Tuberculosis) by health staff and researchers, the Mini Library was strengthened and transformed to an Information and Documentation Centre in 2008 to provide a wide range of services to the general public.

Mission

To provide adequate HIV/AIDS related information resources, programs and services to meet the needs of the general populace

Objectives

To support the information needs of the National HIV/AIDS  Program;

To maintain a comprehensive collection of HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB and Reproductive Health  information;

To provide information services to members of staff and general public through library, internet and audio visual access;

To promote awareness on HIV/AIDS-related issues through outreach programmes;

To collaborate with other information providers such as public and private Libraries, Information and Documentation Centres in reaching specific target groups

Achievements 2008-2009

Established 2 Information and Documentation Centres in Freetown and Makeni in February and June 2008 respectively.

Acquired a total collection of 3,656 printed and electronic publications on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB and Reproductive Health in the form of books, policies, reports, training manuals/toolkits, pamphlets, newsletters/journals/magazines, handbooks and articles; video and audio-tapes; DVDs; CDs; assorted posters, brochures, photographs and Flip charts.

Achieved a turnout of 5,896 clients in the two centres as illustrated on the table below:

Distributed 231 IEC materials in 2008; and  27,597 in 2009 at the Centres and during outreach programmes

Distributed 806,894 pieces of male condoms and 4,180 pieces of female condoms during 2009

Conducted 61 community and institutional outreach programmes in Freetown and Makeni with a turnout of  16,443 in 2009

Donated 363 publications to 7 public libraries and 3 Faith-Based Organizations in 2009

Established collaborative partnership with 58 communities, schools, Churches and Organizations in Freetown and Makeni.

Staffing

1 Documentation Officer

1 Library/Information Officer

1 Regional Library Officer

2 Library Assistants

2 Office Assistants

6 Security guards

Funding

The Information and Documentation Centre is funded through the Global Fund reources.

Partners

The following organizations provide logistics support in the form of printed and electronic publications: WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, ILO, UNESCO, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Health Link Worldwide, Johns Hopkins, GTZ, Engender Health, Measure Evaluation, World Bank,  FHI,  KIT Netherlands, World Vision, USAID, Teaching At Low Cost  (TALC) UK, Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), Macmillan, Centre for Health Education Training and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA), DfID,  Hesperian Foundation, Food and Nutrition Technical Aid (FANTA), Population Council, Action Aid, ACET International Alliance, Strategies for Hope, IRIN, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Health Resources and Service Administration, Hesperian Foundation, ARG, NAS, MoHS, etc.

Service Hours: The centre is opened to the public from 9.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m daily Monday through Friday

Contact:

HIV/AIDS Information and Documentation Centre

15 Kingharman Road

Freetown

Sierra Leone

Tel: 232-22-235836

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

And

3 Sylvanus Street

Makeni

Sierra Leone

Tel. 232-76-505621

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it