International Literacy Day and public libraries

September 8 each year is marked by the world as ‘International Literacy Day’ (ILD). Established in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the day is set aside to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Its aim is also to raise the world’s consciousness of literacy issues facing the global community and to endorse campaigns that help to increase literacy for all people. One of the most critical forms of social infrastructure that we have, that can be used to promote literacy is the public library. But unfortunately, it is also one of the most undervalued!

A public library is a non-profit library that is accessible by the general public, and is usually funded by the government or from public sources, such as taxes. As gateway to knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role in society.

One important function of public libraries is promoting literacy. Literacy refers to the ability to read and write. Public libraries continue to play a major role in fostering literacy in communities and societies, particularly among people that need special assistance in developing literacy skills.

Another significant and fundamental role of public libraries is education. Public libraries provide books and other materials for people to read and use. These materials are educational and lead to self-improvement. The educative role of public libraries also expands to include supporting both formal and informal education.

Public libraries also help to promote lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is the process of continuous and ongoing learning throughout a person’s life in order to enhance continuous development and improvement of an individual’s knowledge and skills. Due to the complex and rapidly changing environment, people need to acquire a variety of skills and knowledge, irrespective of their age, social or economic status.

Public libraries do not only have educational roles and functions. They can also contribute to the country’s economic development. For example, public libraries can have a significant impact on economic productivity when they get involved in providing effective business services, resources and literacy programs to their business communities. Such businesses and organisations that use public libraries as a resource become more successful, thereby contributing to economic development in their communities.

One major important function of the library is the preservation of our cultural heritage. Perhaps the most deep-rooted of our human instincts is the desire to preserve our culture for future generations. Libraries help to accomplish this objective. Libraries are rich repositories of historically and culturally significant collections, many of which are not available anywhere else. Without the services of a library, many works that are reflections of our cultural heritage would be lost to future generations.

What are some of the challenges facing public libraries in Nigeria today? One problem faced by public libraries in Nigeria is their scarcity. For instance, someone who lives somewhere in Festac Town, Lagos, would usually have to travel a long distance to somewhere around Mile 2 Estate, in order to access the services of a public library. This public library (The Borno House Library, which functions under the Lagos State Library Board), seems to be the only functioning library in the entire Festac/Amuwo-Odofin area, if I am not mistaken. So, it will be appreciated if more public libraries are established across various communities.

Another problem is that many public libraries need renovations. These public libraries are often unattractive and poorly maintained, while in most cases, the infrastructural facilities are inadequate. This could be because the library buildings and the systems that sustain them are underfunded, and probably neglected.

This problem can be tackled by improving funding for the public library system. More public support – such as through the contributions of philanthropists – can be of much benefit in this regard.

Other problems facing public libraries in Nigeria include that the books in stock at the libraries are usually outdated. It is quite rare to find new and current books or journals. Also, reference materials, where they exist, are usually old and dusty. Audio-visual materials are also usually hard to come by. The quality of manpower is also frequently not up to expectations, and the existing manpower is usually not well cared for or remunerated. . These and many other problems are currently plaguing the public library system in Nigeria.

A functional library is expected to stock all kinds of items that add to knowledge – from books to audio and visual materials, internet access, artefacts that advance the cultural and recreational needs of the society, etc.

Libraries are essential not only for community vitality but also for buffering all variety of personal problems – including isolation and loneliness. This is especially so, as the rate of unemployment and poverty in the country continues to rise, leading to idleness, among other ills.

It is also important to generate more awareness among the populace about the important role that libraries play in modern communities, or the many roles they could play if they had more support. Also, public enlightenment campaigns and other activities that encourage reading and literacy should be encouraged and implemented in various communities.

Libraries play a very healthy role throughout our life. Public libraries are important informational, educational, cultural, and social institutions which play fundamental roles in the development of the society. They are educational institutions, providing educational and literacy programs and supporting lifelong learning. They provide business resources which contribute towards economic development. They help to preserve our cultural heritage, and they also provide free and equal access to high-quality information, to meet the needs and interests of all segments of the community, including national minorities, in accordance with the principle of human rights.

Therefore, relevant authorities will do well to establish more public libraries, maintain existing ones, and make our public libraries attractive to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the people.

Ighakpe, a social commentator sent this piece from Lagos.

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