ACCRA CENTRAL LIBRARY; PEOPLE CHOOSING BOOKS; CHILDREN'S LIBRARY; MOBILE SCHOOL LIBRARY.




Initials JF/VS/MGT/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE GHANA LIBRARY BOARD IS DISCUSSING PLANS TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL LIBRARY TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE THE COUNTRY'S LITERATURE. THE LIBRARY WILL BE SITUATED IN ACCRA AND WILL CO-OPERATE WITH REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN GHANA TO PROVIDE BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIAL ON THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY.

THE LIBRARY SERVICE ORIGINALLY BEGAN AS PART OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL'S SYSTEM OF TEACHING PEOPLE THE BRITISH WAY OF LIFE. THE GHANA LIBRARY BOARD MOVED TO ITS PRESENT PREMISES AT THE ACCRA CENTRAL LIBRARY IN 1956.

IT NOW HAS A TOTAL STOCK OF MORE THAN 600,000 BOOKS, AND AT THE ADULT LENDING SECTION ABOUT 5,000 BOOKS ARE ISSUED EVERY WEEK. STUDENTS FORM THE MAJORITY OF THE LIBRARY'S MEMBERSHIP OF 3,500.

THE BOARD HAS ESTABLISHED FIVE REGIONAL CENTRES AND ALSO RUNS A MOBILE LENDING SERVICE TO AREAS WITH NO ESTABLISHED LIBRARIES. THE LENDING SERVICE HAS NINE VEHICLES, AND ALSO CATERS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITHOUT THEIR OWN LIBRARIES.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHILDREN'S SECTION OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY IS FREE, AND ABOUT 200 VISIT IT EVERY DAY.

THE GHANA LIBRARY BOARD ALSO INTENDS TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL LIBRARY IN ACCRA SOON TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ON COMMERCE AND TRADE.