National library seeks reintroduction of reading hours in schools

The National Library of Nigeria on Thursday canvassed for the reintroduction of reading hours in timetables of schools nationwide.

The Chief Librarian, Prof. Veronica Anunobi, stated this during the launch of the 2024 Annual Readership Promotion campaign which was held in Abuja.

According to Anunobi, the proposal alongside many others forms part of the plan to ensure that there is no dearth of reading culture in Nigerian society.

“ In a bid to “Catch Them Young,” this campaign prioritizes pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.

“In previous campaigns, we have reached Internally Displaced Persons camps, Nigerian Correctional Centers, artisans, market groups, hospitals, and motor parks, underscoring our commitment to making reading accessible to all segments of society thereby engendering inclusivity.

“Our efforts in reinvigorating reading among Nigerians are multi-faceted. We are advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.”

She added, “Additionally, our state branches are actively establishing reading clubs nationwide (94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year).

“We are also modernizing the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating existing ones.

“These branches are not only stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications but also with resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.

“Furthermore, our branches serve as reading hubs, both physically and virtually, with access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7, ensuring that Nigerians can engage with reading materials at any time while reading beyond boundaries.”