Welcome to
The Orange Library
The Orange Library is a safe space for young adults living in The Gambia. Some breathing space for them to just be. To have that time and space to be themselves, explore, and figure things out, without demands or having to perform for others. To read or write if they like, explore & imagine possible worlds, to make art, be by themselves or with others, to learn or to rest. The Orange Library tries to be that space, and we do this by asking the young adults what they need, and listening to what they say.
About
The Orange Library is a safe space for young adults living in Bijilo, The Gambia. A place where young people can take a break from school and home life. The library offers some breathing space for them to just be. To have that time and space to be themselves, explore, and figure things out, without demands or having to perform for others. To read or write if they like, explore & imagine possible worlds, to make art, be by themselves or with others, to learn or to rest. The Orange Library tries to be that space, and we do this by asking the young adults what they need, and listening to what they say.
By responding to the needs that they express, the library has become what it is - a community space where they can help one another and share what they know. Most of the visitors had never been to a library before, and for many, school hasn’t given them what they need. Some can’t even read despite years of schooling. So, we’ve made the library a space where learning happens in a different way, through shared knowledge and mutual support. And our visitors learn that by giving space to others, we also receive space to be, by letting others in and allowing them to be who they are, we also get the freedom to be who we are.
Vision
Our vision is to be a welcoming space in Bijilo where teenagers and young adults come together to read, make art, meet new people, and cultivate new ideas. We are a place where stories are shared, ideas are explored, and a sense of community is built. We offer a diverse collection of books that we hope reflect the experiences and interests of our visitors, creating a space where everyone feels represented and understood.
Values
Here we value giving space to each other, and understanding that by allowing others to be, we are gifting ourselves the same opportunity.
Who is this for?
The Orange Library is about building community. We welcome young adults of The Gambia, no matter their background or their circumstances, and that has been one of the most important aspects of this space. It’s a place where young adults from different backgrounds come together, whether they’re from private schools, selling nana (mint) on the street, or just trying to figure out their next step. The connections they make here and the sense of belonging they find have become just as important as the books and lessons.
History
What a journey we have had.
From organising multiple fundraising events in the fall of 2023 to arriving in The Gambia, to finding a team of young adults for consultation, to scouting the perfect place for books to rest and young adults to read or ignore them, to repainting the place, turning a bathroom into an office, cutting glass for windows, figuring out the perfect lighting situation, building bookshelves from scratch, categorising books, engaging young adults with candy first and then books—the library has come a long way. The very minute we opened our doors, excited young people gathered to turn pages, get familiar with the library, and get an Orange Library card. As you might have seen on our social media, we are now up and running, and to think, from fundraising, collecting books, and dreaming to actually having an actual library feels like a dream—a really good one.
We’ve had our bumps along the road. A water leakage that destroyed more than half our books, an almost police raid, a cat that decided to move in and use our floors as its litter box (we’re friends now), late deliveries leading to a later opening, etc. Yet, we did it. This has not been an individual endeavour. From the local community in Bijilo to Stockholm, to London, to New York, to Dakar, we are smashing borders and creating the world that we want to live in. Because we know that we can make a better world. The Orange Library is a reminder and proof of this fact.
Founder
Ben Camara
Driven by a deep passion for literature and fostering a sense of community, Ben is the visionary force behind The Orange Library. With a background rooted in the love of storytelling and a determination to bridge cultural divides, Ben is creating a caring space of inclusivity. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of Gambian oral storytelling and experience as a librarian in Sweden, Ben envisions a space where young minds can thrive, explore, and find their own voices.
Support
The Orange Library:
Empower Through Literature
As we prepare to reopen The Orange Library in September after a brief summer break, we’re launching a campaign to cover the rent and a library assistant’s salary for the coming year. With your support, we’re looking ahead to make sure that The Orange Library remains a place where young people can find the resources and connections they need.
Why You Should Support The Orange Library
Supporting The Orange Library means contributing to a community effort that enriches the lives of young people in Bijilo and, by extension, the lives of young people everywhere. This library for everyone who steps through its doors and all the new connections that The Orange Library cardholders will make through international collaborations. By donating, you’re helping to keep this space open and thriving, so that more stories can be told, more friendships can be made across borders, and more young people everywhere can find each other and themselves.
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Contact
Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hello?
We'd love to hear from you.
Reach out to us using the email address below.
Address:
Senegambia Highway
Across the road from the OIC & King Baker, next och B&Co Supermarket.
Wed: 1pm - 8pm
Thurs - Sat: 11am - 6pm
