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24.03.2009 Education

Library enjoys high patronage in spite of internet cafés

By GNA
Library enjoys high patronage in spite of internet cafs
24.03.2009 LISTEN


Mr Winfred Monu, Tema Metropolitan Librarian, on Monday said patronage at the library faced no competition from internet cafés operating in the metropolis because most students had developed interest in studying and undertaking research at the Tema Library.

He noted that in addition to students from senior high schools or professional institutions, workers also visited the library to undertake research.

Mr Monu speaking to Ghana News Agency in Tema said the library recorded high patronage daily especially during examination periods due to its proximity to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) hall and Tema Senior High School.

He said during such peak periods, the library exceeded its 280 seat capacity leading to the provision of more seats at a nearby pavilion for about 100 clients.

The library has 5,046 adult books out of which 763 are reference books while registered members are allowed to borrow from the remaining 4,283.

Out of the about 6,000 juvenile books in the library, 5,891 can be borrowed while 332 are for reference.

Mr Monu said in 2008, a total of 147 people made up of 46 adults and 101 children registered to borrow books from the library while 10 adults and 142 children registered in January and February this year.

He attributed the students' interest in patronising the library to the Ghana Library Board's school extension programmes which included educating students on reading, essay writing, quiz and spelling bee competitions.

Mr Monu said schools in the metropolis were hosted at the library three times every month under a programme during which educational movies were shown to develop the interest of pupils and students in reading and that entice them to visit the library.

However, he said major challenges facing their operations include students visiting the library during school hours, insufficient staff, lack of funds to purchase educational magazines and electronic journals.

Mr Monu appealed to stakeholders in education to assist the library install internet facilities to offer more services to residents since the library lacked some important books for research.

He said students who viewed pornographic materials on the internet could be checked by staff of the library.

Mr Monu appealed to Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and other cooperate bodies in the metropolis to assist the library with educational materials and sign boards to indicate its location.

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