By Helena Asamoah-Hassan | Project Leader
THERE IS MORE TO LEARN OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Philip is the Director of the Western Region Library Services of the Ghana Library Authority. The regional headquarters is located at Sekondi with branch libraries in Takoradi, Tarkwa and Axim. He had always enjoyed being a librarian. Working with books and helping people get what they want from the library’s collections was a job he had done with all diligence. However, he knew there was more to be done; that is, there were more ways the library could impact education and literacy, especially at the foundational level. He wanted to do more for young people in his user community. He wanted the library to be a focal point of their learning journey, a place where they could gain more and solidify what was taught in the classrooms.
The opportunity came when he applied and was selected for Cohort 2 of the INELI-SSAf program. The programme was a great eye-opener. He learned about how to carry out innovative services that are not part of the traditional library services, how to efficiently take smart risks and seek partnerships, how collaborations can be built through engaging the community at different levels to improve library services, as well as time management and leading one’s library to make a difference. These changed his mindset and pushed him to explore how the library could do more for young people in Sekondi, Takoradi, Tarkwa and Axim.
After the training, he discussed it with his colleagues, and they decided to open their libraries as spaces for collaborative activities that could spur learning and broaden young people's minds about possibilities beyond the four corners of their classrooms. They began using existing community assets to drive learning and showcase the library as a meeting point for different sectors of the community.
The Sekondi Children's Library opened its doors to pupils of Sekondi Presbyterian Primary School to listen to Mr Odei Forson, Assistant Director of Prisons, Ekuasi Camp. He read to them and shared valuable life lessons on why being a good child and shunning the wrong things are important for every child.
The Takoradi Branch library also opened its doors to Mrs Eli Esi Amuzu, Credit Manager of MASLOC, Takoradi. She captivated the young minds with an engaging reading of the inspirational book "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" by Ethel Dede Mbrokoh — a story that encourages diligence, foresight, and making the most of opportunities. The session was attended by young people from Tessark International School, St. John Paul II School, Sarah Sackey Anglican Primary School and Takoradi Presby Primary School.
Axim Branch Library hosted students from Morning Star Preparatory School. During the visit, the students were led to understand why digital footprints matter. They took a major step toward having an online persona by learning how to create new Google Accounts, an essential skill for the modern learner. Also, children from Assemblies of God Primary School, Sekondi, visited the library for computer appreciation lessons.
These activities boosted attendance at the Library. They started receiving increased numbers of pupils and students even during school vacations. Philip has now seen how numerous innovative library services can literally open doors to more learning and encounters with knowledge for the young people in his community. The library is becoming more visible as more and more children and their caregivers continue to experience our distinctive services and facilities.
Finally, Philip confidently says that “ INELI SSAf has answered my questions on how the library can do more to impact the lives and educational journey of young people in my community”. This knowledge has enabled him to forge ahead in seeking new partners and collaborators to expand the reach of the young people in his community to improve their lives.
By Helena Asamoah-Hassan | Project Leader
By Helena Asamoah-Hassan | Project Leader
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