Library use can reverse falling standards

The use of public libraries by students is one of the surest ways to rescue the fallen standards of education in the country, especially the usage of English Language.

Mr. Johnson Opong, acting Regional Director of the Volta Regional Library Authority, made the observation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Ho on Tuesday.

“Public libraries remain the surest platform that is at the forefront of stimulating education and development so the country cannot afford to lose the potential of public libraries,” he stated.

Mr. Opong said knowledge is acquired through reading, and appealed to students to cultivate the culture of reading to enable them to broaden their scope of knowledge.

He said the number of people, including students, who registered with and used the regional library increased from 2,180 in 2011 to 2,265 in 2012.

Mr. Opong said 52,261 books were issued out to those who registered with the facility in 2011, whiles 69,147 books were issued in 2012.

He said 896 people registered with the facility in the first quarter of this year and 14,649 books were issued to them.

Mr. Opong said the “the library experienced its peak periods when students are taking their examinations because they use it for research”.

He debunked the erroneous impression created by some people that with the proliferation of the internet, public libraries have no relevance, and said “public libraries remain the most authentic place for reference and research”. Mr. Opong appealed to the Ho Municipal Assembly to provide the regional library with furniture as it could not accommodate the large number of students during the peak periods.

He lamented that the temporary regional library was near to a public place of convenience, and said “the stench that comes out of the place sometimes drives our clients away” and appealed to Government to complete the new ultra modern regional library in Ho.