Community libraries need support

THE running of some community libraries in the Greater Accra Region has been hampered as a result of financial problems being faced by the operators.
These libraries are in Nungua, Osu and Nima-Maamobi. The libraries are supposed to have some support from the communities but this has not been forthcoming.
Those who work in the libraries are mainly service men and women and some volunteers. They are paid something, but this is woefully inadequate.
The Canadian philanthropist, Mrs Kathy Knoles, who put up the libraries, has, therefore, called for support from the Ghana Education Service (GES), the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as the local people, towards resourcing the community libraries to make them more functional.
The Assistant Librarian at the Nima-Maamobi Community Library, Ms Kate Akwa, told the Daily Graphic that the people in the community had promised, during the construction of the facility, to support its operations but they had since not made any contributions.
She said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) was paying the salaries of some of the staff but expressed worry that it was inadequate.
Despite those challenges, she said, the libraries which were located near government schools were making a definite impact on the community, especially on the pupils and students in the area.
The Nungua Community Library, which is located within the Nungua Cluster of Schools, is also facing similar problems.
The Librarian there, Mrs Abigail Elisha, said most of the pupils went there at the close of school or during library periods as part of their curricula.