Investment in libraries crucial

LIBRARIES are undervalued and overlooked around the world, including in Ghana.

CRITICAL sources of information for everyone, regardless of social class or profession, libraries produce an educated public.

THIS is, of course, assuming that they have the necessary resources to provide consumers with up to date information. According to the President of the Ghana Library Association (GLA), Mrs. Valentina J.A. Bannerman, who has just called the government to allocate more funds for the maintenance and development of libraries, Ghana’s libraries are not equipped as they should be.

TODAY applauds Mrs. Bannerman, not only for appealing to the government, but taking more proactive measures in conducting a two-day proposal-writing workshop for GLA members. The GLA will apply for both national and international grants to supplement whatever help the government provides.

IT is crucial that the libraries receive enough money to renew their stock of books, fix facilities, and perhaps even add computers with Internet access.

WHILE these may seem like extravagant steps, it is vital that there is public access to current research and information.

THIS is most apparent in the case of students, especially those at the senior high school and university levels. These students need to have access to the most recent findings from around the globe—especially given how quickly advances are made in the technology and science sectors—in order to receive a complete education.

STUDENTS, indeed, Ghanaians, cannot hope to contribute to global scholarship without up to date basic knowledge and a working familiarity with other scholars around the world.

ALTHOUGH some people manage to stay connected in other ways, it is important to provide all Ghanaians with the same opportunity to access information.

IT then falls to the government and private citizens to express an investment in seeing these centers of knowledge well stocked and consumer-friendly.

NOT only do new books of all genres need to be purchased for every branch of the library, but any obtuse filing and reference systems need to be re-arranged in order to be accessible rather than intimidating.

THE GLA is committed to ensuring that libraries are brought up to date. Once the proper resources are allocated—either by the government or through grants and donations earned by GLA proposals—libraries in Ghana will finally be able to serve as the primary hub of information for communities.