Post COVID-19: Association to revive reading culture, ensure safety measures

The Nigerian Library Association, NLA, Oyo State Chapter, has vowed to revive the reading culture and at the same time ensure COVID-19 measures are sustained especially among the youths in the State.

The Oyo State Chairman of the NLA, Mr Adekoya Osunkoya gave the assurance while addressing journalists ahead of the 2020 National Library Week, Conference and Annual General Meeting.

The event with the theme: “Library and Information Services During and After COVID-19 Pandemic,” was held at the National Library of Nigeria, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the State capital.

Osunkoya noted that the press conference aimed at creating awareness for the association and librarianship profession, affirming that the theme of the 2020 National Library week was picked because the COVID-19 pandemic is dramatically impacting livelihoods, particularly because 70 per cent of people in Africa especially in Nigeria, are working in the informal sector.

“With a slow-down in economic growth related to COVID-19, librarians are encouraging a context-specific, risk-based approach with adjustments to facilitate physical distancing, improve access to handwashing facilities, strengthen hygiene practices, and promote the use of masks over the mouth and nose in the library.”

The NLA Chairman stated that the Association among other things provides support in the development and maintenance of standard for education and certification of librarians, archivists, and information scientists, as well as pursuing the establishment and implementation of standard policies for libraries in Nigeria.

He said, “The Nigerian Library Association is a professional body of librarians, archivists and information scientists in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

It is an association that aims at pursuing the establishment and development of libraries, information and resource centres, especially in public, community and school environments.”

He maintained that librarians were part of a door-to-door campaign and sharing information on COVID-19, adding that such activities help people to understand how they can better protect themselves and others, as well as combating misinformation around the pandemic.

Osunkoya, however, solicited the assistance of the Oyo State government to the association considering its meaningful contributions to the State and the society at large.

“We implore our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde to come to our aid in these aspects. We need his help in the allocation of a piece of land and bus. We can be supported with donations of physical facilities like buildings, and donation of a bus to ease our movement around the State,” he appealed.

Osunkoya further commented on the activities of the association, highlighting some of its accomplishments in the past years as follows:

Organising seminars and conferences for members to broaden their knowledge and to keep them abreast of current information in the profession.

Webinar conference organised for members in September 2020 on how to effectively render library services during and after COVID-19 Pandemic.

Giving awards to deserving members. Giving members useful and timely information. Enlightening clientele on how to protect themselves during this trying period.

Rendering services to clientele, without necessarily going to the library, with the aid of social media.

Suzan O