FG TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC LIBRARIES INTO ICT HUBS

If plans by the Federal Government work out well, public libraries will soon become the hub of information communication technology (ICT) in Nigeria.
The plan is to transform the libraries into public access points, where Nigerians can access timely and reliable information, enlightenment and training at an affordable cost.
Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike said the Federal Government would partner state governments in its turnaround programme for the public libraries.
Wike said this at the opening of the first Conference of Certified Librarians organised by the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) in Abuja.
He said: “The Federal Government is planning many strategic interventions in the library and information science sector.  Plans are underway to work with state governments to reposition public libraries in Nigeria as Public Access Venues.  As public access venues, libraries will engage with communities to provide such services as e-Learning Services, Skills-for-Life Services, Community Enlightenment and Civic Education Services, Health and Gender Information Services, Career Counseling Services, Youth Collection and Gaming Stations and Small Business Counseling, among others.”
The minister then urged the certified librarians and relevant stakeholders in the information sector to rise up to this challenge.
In line with this vision, the Registrar, LRCN, Dr Victoria Okojie, said the council has surveyed all public libraries in Nigeria to determine their needs.
“A database of the over 300 public libraries in Nigeria has been created for the first time in the history of Nigeria. One of the main aims of the survey is to write a proposal to the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology justifying why public libraries should be used as public access venues which will provide e-governance services to the community,” she said.
Dr Okojie said 21st century library services are characterised by advancement in the use of ICTs in accessing, retrieving and disseminating information to the public.
“In this regard, Nigerian public libraries in the digital age should, among others: provide universal access to online resources for reading, information and education and the resources provided must be consistent and customer focused; help to build vibrant communities by encouraging community, based activities which target social capital creation and civic engagement; help to promote social, financial and digital inclusion as well as support learning in the information society,” she said.
Source: Campus Life