Of
late, what used to be well stocked community libraries have all turned white
elephants. Previously, young adults and students had the opportunity and
privilege of visiting community libraries that contained several varieties of
books that helped shaped both academic and social lifestyles.
Personally,
I can recount how visiting the library when growing up shaped my hand writing
because that was the place I practiced how to write well. It was an interesting
habit, and scores of my contemporaries will not allow any opportunity to pass
by in a week without visiting the library. Among the interesting novels then were
“Peter and Jane” and “Tin Tin”. I can’t also lose sight of the serious
discussions and debate that erupted in our various classrooms after reading a
popular book at the library, some way somehow, these exercise shaped our
academic life.
Arguably,
the opposite is the case in most places in Ghana. Most of our community
libraries have been turned into either merchandised stores or offices meant for
other purposes. A good number of young adults today have been deprived of the
luxury of having access to a well furnished and stocked community libraries. Another
disturbing aspect is that, in places where there are few existing ones, most
especially in our cities; students do not patronize them because of the advent
of the internet particularly the social media.
Therefore,
I am making a passionate appeal to the government, traditional rulers and city
authorities to revisit the establishment of more community libraries in Ghana.
Libraries are worth investing in them, because they serve as fundamental educational
institutions for the entire community.
