Library Board introduces mobile library in deprived communities

Sekondi, June 22, June GNA - The Ghana Library Board (GLB), has introduced a proactive, creative and innovative exercise to run Mobile Library Services at schools in deprived communities.

The aim is to send books and information reading materials to the doorstep of pupils and students in communities where there are no libraries. Mr Joseph Boye, Western Regional Librarian said this would enhance their reading and knowledge. He was speaking at an awards ceremony for schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to mark this year's International Children's Book Day at the weekend.

The day, which is celebrated annually worldwide to commemorate the birthday of Hans Anderson, a Danish author, was observed under theme; "A Book Is Waiting For You, Find It".

Mr Boye appealed to parents, headmasters, teachers and guardians to encourage their children and wards to take advantage of the library servi ce to develop their reading habits. He announced that in August this year, the GLB in collaboration with

the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication would be providing

internet services on the mobile library van on pilot basis in the Ellembe lle and Bia Districts of the Western Region.

The move is aimed at granting students and pupils in those areas acc ess to information that cannot be readily found in the books at the library. Referring to the oil discovery in the region, Mr Boye appealed to th e Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to build a library complex equipped with modern facilities for residents and visitors to assess more

information about the oil.

Mr Kobina Prah Annan, Metropolitan Chief Executive, encouraged students and pupils to cultivate a reading habit to improve on their education.

He noted that young people needed to keep track with the changing trends and without reading they could be left behind hence parents needed to ensure their wards spent much of their time learning and reading. Mr Annan said nobody could achieve academic success through short cu t except learning through reading.

He gave the assurance that the STMA would construct a complex librar y to befit the status of a metropolis for the youth. Mr Ebenezer Hammond, Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board, impressed on philanthropists and organisations to sponsor educatio nal programmes to encourage students to learn harder.

Two students, Archibald Henry Enninful and Ekow Mensah Ackaah-Gyasi of the Chapel Hill Preparatory School wrote articles on the topic; "Oil Find in Ghana, What Is Your Expectations on its Contribution into the Development of Libraries and Improving on Educational Standards." They called on the government to channel greater part of the oil revenue to develop the educational sector to enhance teaching and learnin g. Students and schools who excelled in a quiz competition were awarded

various prizes.