The acting Volta Regional Librarian, Mr. Alikem Tamakloe, has advised students to patronise libraries in their areas to add more to their knowledge.
He said he was optimistic that the traditional library system was still relevant and would survive the advent of the information technology.
He asked practitioners in the industry to collaborate with stake holders to draw more resources into the library sector as well as improve their services.
Mr. Tamakloe was speaking at this year’s International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) Awards ceremony held at Abutia Teti in the Ho West District.
The International Board on Books for Young People was instituted to remind children of what reading could do in their lives.
It was on the theme “Many Cultures One Story”, and also aimed to raise the desire of school children in Abutia to cultivate and sustain the habit of reading in children.
Mr. Tamakloe explained that when children acquire reading skills early in life and could understand what they read they would lay a very strong foundation for their education.
“It is therefore important that children are encouraged to see the use of library in their every day lives during their leisure periods,” he said.
He urged the government to establish Libraries in all basic schools, and engage professional Librarians to bring about the needed change in the minds of children what the public Library’s mobile Library could offer them.
He also appealed to teachers to ensure that Library periods on the school time table were used for reading and part of extra-classes period be devoted to reading activities to ensure that children improve on their reading skills.
The assembly woman for the area, Peace Maminya Bekui, commended all the children from five basic schools who won awards in an essay and spelling competition organised by the Ghana Library Board.
She also urged parents and guardians including teachers to inculcate the habit of reading and writing in their wards.
Togbe Kodzo Gidi V, Paramount Chief of Abutia Traditional Area who chaired the Function called on parents to invest in their children for a better future.
Ms. Nartey Princess from Abutia Teti Junior High School took the best award in the spelling competition.
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