the Commissioner for Education, Prof. (Mrs) Victoria Adaobi Obasi has stressed the important roles libraries play in effective teaching and learning in Schools.
The Education Commissioner made the point in her office when she received the Executive members of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Imo State Chapter who paid her courtesy visit.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Jason Naiche, Prof. (Mrs) Obasi described Library as a store house of knowledge and its relevance to Education Sector cannot be overemphasized.
She harped on the need to inculcate reading habit to children, regretting that school books today are packed in cartons in the Principal’s offices where students don’t have access to them.
Prof. (Mrs) Obasi reiterated that Libraries should be for books and must be functional. She said the objectives of the Imo State Chapter are well intended and that the Ministry would within its ambit help it, while the Government would in due course look into the relocation of the State Library Board according to the Owerri Master Plan.
Earlier, in the address read by the Chairman, Nigerian Library Association, (NLA), Imo State Chapter, Mr. Jonathan Ogugua, he said the Association’s main objective is to unite persons interested in libraries and librarianship, archival and information services by holding conferences, meetings, issuing publications and to promote the professional interest of Librarians and the establishment and development of libraries, information and resource centres and the maintenance of standards in the profession.
The Chairman added that the Association had participated in several conferences, workshops and meetings; distinguished itself as the second State Chapter after Oyo State, won the best State Chapter for three consecutive times and produced National Officers.
He said apart from these feats at the national level, the Association holds quarterly/annual general meetings and lectures, library week, luncheon visit to charitable homes, organizes Quiz and reading competitions, book fair and pay advocacy visits in the State.
Mr. Ogugua reiterated on the importance of well organized Libraries with trained personnel to assist the users for effective teaching and learning in Schools; as such the Association has decided to focus on the “problems of School Libraries” aimed at devising various means to improve on them.
