Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The University Librarian at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Stella Ngozi Anasi, has called for the establishment of functional school libraries to help facilitate learning in secondary schools in Anambra State.
Dr Anasi made the call during an event to celebrate 2024 World Book Day. In commemoration of the event held every April 23rd, Anasi visited some schools in the state where books were donated to promote reading for literacy among students.
On the heels of the visits, the university librarians decried the absence of functional libraries in secondary schools in the state, adding that in some where libraries exist, they are in bad shape with obsolete materials.
Anasi said despite the huge gains of libraries to students, most school proprietors have not deemed it fit to build a well equipped library to enable their students develop good reading habits and independent learning from a tender age.
According to her, “Most primary and secondary schools in Anambra State do not have functional school libraries. The ones that have are not well equipped.
“Secondary school is a place to catch them young. It is the best place to inculcate the culture of reading to every child. If they imbibe the culture at an early stage, it will help them to succeed in life.”
Anasi reminded that any school that does not have a functional library is offering half education, adding that learning does not end at consuming teachers’ notebooks but extends to independent effort to acquire knowledge.
She said education is supposed to mold students both in character and learning and explained further that it is only when a child reads that his character is modified to become a better individual in the society.
Buttressing her point, Anasi said self-learning remains crucial to every student’s development and stressed that without libraries, students do not have the opportunity to discover things themselves.
The university librarian who regretted that reading culture among youths had declined due to non-exposure to books, noted that the effect has been the reliance on ‘sorting’ and other malpractices to pass their examinations. She added that the danger has been the production of half-baked graduates who she said end up contributing nothing to societal development.
She said there is a need to redirect the student back to the library, adding that both the state and Federal Governments should not only invest in libraries but ensure that establishment of school libraries is made a priority in public and private schools.
She also advocated for the creation of library hours in primary and post primary schools to enable students to read books for their all round growth and development.
