Nigeria’s first green library opens in Lagos

To serve as a pacesetter and model for eco-friendly libraries in Nigeria and Africa by extension, the National Library of Nigeria has opened a special section named, “Green Library” and dedicated strictly for children and young adults between the ages of four and 17 in the country.

The Green Library, which is domiciled on the ground floor of the National Library in Yaba Lagos and to be replicated in other 31 branches of the library nationwide is arranged with a touch of nature including logs of wood that serve as chairs and tables, decorated with flowers and equipped with lots of books and other reading materials.

The library, according to National Library, is the first of its kind in Nigeria Addressing newsmen at the launch on Tuesday, the deputy director of the National Library, Lagos office, Mrs Obianiju Onuorah, disclosed that the library set up the green library section and strictly for the chilldren and young adults in partnership with Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), a private charity organisation.

ZODML operates the biggest free online library in Nigeria and also provides physical services in underserved communities, local schools as well as correctional centres in some parts of the country with users accessing materials – books, journals, articles and so forth free of charge.

Speaking further, Mrs Onuorah declared that the green library idea was that of ZODML to introduce children at an early age to climate issues both in their immediate and global environment.

She added, “And the idea is to catch the children young so that they will grow with the knowledge of their environment and then contribute to save the planet. And since the idea is related to what we have been planning to do, to have a separate section for children across all our facilities nationwide, we quickly welcome ZODML for the partnership.

“We know and understand that government alone cannot provide and equip all its libraries with all materials that will meet all age brackets and segments of the population.”

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She said the green library section would be opened daily including during students’ holidays to users just like the other sections from morning till 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and for shorter hours on Saturdays.

She added that apart from the general reading section, there is also a section where children could do their school homework before going home and they can also play games and catch fun.

Onuorah, however, thanked ZODML for the partnership, particularly for coming at this time of global warming.

She said there is confidence that the section would not only encourage an eco-friendly planet but would also boost reading culture among children.

She called on other civil society groups, philanthropists, corporate bodies, authors and writers, government and spirited individuals to support the project by donating books and other useful items to the library.

Giving an insight into the project, the co-founder and chairperson of ZODML, Mrs Ifeoma Esiri, said the idea of setting up the green library is to promote environmental literacy and sustainable eco-friendly practices among children so that they will live with the knowledge to adulthood.

According to her, the green library is not just another library but a place for hands-on learning and exploration where children and young adults are inspired to become active environmental conservationists as they grow older.

She pointed out that most of the books and other items in the section were donated by families and friends of ZODML, various authors and writers, corporate organisations, philanthropists and so forth for the use of the children free of charge.

She implored others to do the same as the project is to be extended to other National Library offices nationwide.

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