By Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Librarians in secondary schools in Fako Division, Southwest Region, have made a request to the government of Cameroon to institute a school library support scheme.
The appeal is amongst a series of recommendations taken at the close of a seminar on the theme “celebrating books –library awareness in schools,” held April 23 2013 (World Book Day) at Government High School Buea Rural, Bokova.
Cross section of Librarians at the seminar
According to Mary-Anne Ngwa, one of the Resource Persons, a library support scheme, from the experiences in East and Southern African countries, is largely supported by the Ministry of Culture that buys general reading books by indigenous authors from book stores, periodically, and places them at the disposal of a book development organisation for donation to schools on a rotational and regional basis.
The Chair of the National Book
George Ngwane(standing), Chair, NBDC, extolling the virtues of having proper libraries in schools
Development Council, NBDC, George Ngwane expressed dissatisfaction on the apparent lack of enthusiasm from all library stakeholders, while enjoining them to transform school libraries from decorative book stores to functional public space where books are effectively used by students and knowledge space is expanded.
Ngwane told the participants to share their experiences, obstacles and opportunities in the execution of their
Librarians and NBDC officials pose for a family picture at the close of the seminar
tasks as school librarians and also see the need for creating an interactive learning center called the library, which in many cases has now become a physical and digital space for exchange of information and research on online resources.
Participants also resolved to create library awareness campaigns in their schools, engage their respective school hierarchy to buy updated books and refurbish their library facilities. “My wish is that the Ministry of Secondary Education should
Librarians at the Buea seminar
appoint Vice Principals in charge of libraries in colleges,” a teacher said.
Earlier the NBDC organised a Radio Quiz on Cameroonian Authors and their books on CRTV Mt. Cameroon F.M radio, facilitated a motorbike book caravan, did a book exhibition, donated books to St. Luke Medical Foundation Bokwai, and offered a consignment of books to Government Primary School, Bwitingi, all in Buea municipality.
The National Book Development Council that organised the event, is a Buea based NGO whose aims are to support library development and promote a resourceful book culture in Cameroon.
At the close of the seminar a steering committee of school librarians in Fako Division was put in place and tasked to carry out similar seminars in other divisions in the Southwest Region and foster a vibrant network of School librarians in the Region.
