Revamping Reading Culture in Nigeria: National Library of Nigeria’s Ambitious Plan
The National Library of Nigeria is taking bold steps to boost reading culture in the country. The institution’s Chief Librarian, Prof. Veronica Anunobi, recently launched the 2024 Annual Readership Promotion campaign in Abuja, which aims to prioritize pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.
This campaign is part of the library’s multi-faceted efforts to reinvigorate reading among Nigerians. The plan involves advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.
According to Anunobi, the library is committed to making reading accessible to all segments of society, underscoring their commitment to inclusivity. To achieve this, the library has established 94 reading clubs nationwide, with more to come before the end of the year. The state branches are also being modernized to create inviting and attractive reading environments, with new prototype buildings and renovated existing ones.
The library’s branches serve as reading hubs, providing access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7. This allows Nigerians to engage with reading materials at any time, reading beyond boundaries. The library’s branches are also stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications and resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.
The National Library of Nigeria’s efforts demonstrate a clear commitment to nurturing a culture of reading and learning in Nigeria. With its ambitious plan, the institution is poised to play a vital role in empowering the country’s youth and promoting social cohesion. As the library continues to implement its strategies, it remains to be seen how reading culture in Nigeria will evolve in the coming years.