The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) in promoting environmental literacy and sustainable practices that transforms the traditional library experience has partnered with the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), a non-profit organisation to establish The Green Library.
Obianuju Onuorah, the zonal director at the National Library of Nigeria speaking on the partnership expressed delight for the ZODML’s timely intervention as the apex repository of the country had earlier concluded plans to establish children’s library in all of its 52 branches across Nigeria.
Read also:
Read alsoA historic 300 years old girls school in London to close for lack of pupils
“It is a dream come true for NLN, because recently Chinwe Anunobi, national librarian/ chief executive officer at NLN had earlier directed the establishment of children’s reading space in all the centres of the National Library across Nigeria,” she said.
“The Green Library is a reading place with a difference, it is mainly for children from four to 17 years and there are a lot of activities planned for them. They will read, play, and relax. The children will also be taught on conservation of the environment, which means to be eco-friendly,” she added.
Obiorah applauded ZODML for coming up with the concept which aligned with what NLN had on the ground to help catch the children young.
“We have some programmes to help children cultivate reading habits. The unique eco-friendly environment will help the children excel academically, and even socially, because it comes with the infusion of green environment ecosystem that allows them to read and play,” she noted.
Ifeoma Esiri, the coordinator of ZODML said the idea of the green library comes as a passion to expose people to the value of the library especially for children.
“There is a need for people to wake up. There is no reading culture in Nigeria simply because there are no libraries and we don’t have people advocating for the preparation of libraries,” she said.
In addition, she said; “The Green Library is a place for hands-on learning and exploration where children and young adults are inspired to become active conservationists of the future.”
The library pioneers ‘green’ practices integrating renewable energy, recycled materials, and energy-saving measures into its operations serving as a model for future eco-friendly libraries.
Some other benefits of the green library is that children have a space doe them to do their home work, especially those in junior secondary school three (JSS3) and senior secondary school (SSS).
Read also: How Coscharis boss, Cosmas Maduka went from being school dropout to billionaire
Obiorah explained that unlike the traditional library where people just come and read, the students can borrow books, and return after reading.
She said that her concern is that during holidays the place would be overpopulated because the children would like what is on the ground for their education.
Esiri pointed out the additional benefits are in exposing the children to environmental conservations and how to manage nature. Besides, she revealed the library has a computer unit where students can make use of the internet to explore learning.
She called for sponsors and donors to support the move to give Nigerian children adequate exposure to education and help build their future.
The National Library is established by the federal government as the country’s preeminent repository of information. It was established in 1960 with the enactment of the National Library Act of 1964.
Unlike public libraries, the national library rarely allows citizens to borrow books. Often, they include numerous rare, valuable, or significant works.
ZODML is a non-profit organisation established in 1999 to celebrate the legacy of Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue, who thrived on self-learning education and career through the help of the community library available to him.
Read also: Tinubu directs NOUN graduates integration to NYSC, law school
Born in 1914 to Igbo peasant farmers in Ifitedunu, Anambra State, Nigeria, Zaccheus was the fourth of eight children.
Showing signs of academic excellence from an early age with a hunger for knowledge and education, Zaccheus would hawk fruits after school to buy oil for the lamp he used to study at night.
