THE Ghana Library Board has commenced the piloting of a mobile library service, which involves taking library facilities that include books and computers to children in deprived communities to access within stipulated periods.
The concept is being championed as a temporal measure to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots in relation to children’s access to reading materials and tools for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).
The library board is implementing the programme with support from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), particularly, in the supply of computers and internet connectivity.
The Northern Region kick-started the programme last week in seven Junior High Schools (JHSs) in the Savelugu/Nanton district, where over 300 students had the opportunity to utilise the facilities in the mobile library van for two days.
The student’s focused much of their attention on accessing the computers, thereby putting much pressure on the five computers that were contained in the van.
They told the Daily Graphic that the absence of computers was hindering the study of ICT and therefore appealed to the government to provide them with computers and other interactive learning tools.
The Northern Regional Librarian, Mr Aaron Kuwornu said the programme was being tested to see how effective it would be in helping children in deprived communities to have an opportunity to read story books and learn ICT as well.
“We know that this system is not the ultimate solution, but a stopgap measure that would operate, whiles efforts are made to provide libraries in all communities in the country,” he explained.
The librarian said the system could also help students in deprived communities to familiarise with the computer, as most of them had not had the opportunity to use any computer, even though they write examinations in ICT.
He expressed satisfaction about the first test run of the mobile library in Savelugu and noted that the system would also be tested in Chereponi and Gushegu when adequate funds are available.
Mr Kuwornu revealed that GIFEC had also stocked the Tamale library with a number of computers for patrons to utilise, adding that the computers had been connected to the internet so as to allow library users to undertake online research and other forms of online study.
“For now, the internet centre is offering free services, but with time, we would institute an affordable payment regime and its proceeds would be used to sustain the centre,” he further explained.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Savelugu-Nanton, Mr Askia Mohammed hailed the system and pledged to see to the rehabilitation of the Savelugu library.
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