FG to Revive ‘Library Hours’ in Schools

The Federal Government, through the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, says it is resuscitating ‘library hours’ in schools in a bid to enhance reading culture among students.

The national librarian disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during a press conference to give an account of her stewardship in the last two years.

The PUNCH reported that Anunobi was appointed the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of the National Library in September 2021 and Wednesday marked her two years in office.

She said a memo had been sent to the Federal Ministry of Education to consider the implementation of reading culture as a policy.

She, however, remarked that the National Library needed more legal backing to achieve its mandate.

Anunobi said: “The Act establishing the National Library mandates it only to give advice on library development to any agency of the federation or state that calls on her, thereby denying her the power to supervise or direct on library development or use.

“This hinders the capacity of the National Library to ensure that school libraries are functional. However, within this period, branches are directed to visit schools and sensitise them to the need for library use and reading by students.

“It is saddening to note that library hours are no longer implemented in many schools. To this end, efforts are being made to resuscitate implementation of library hours in schools.”