The lonely libraries of Lagos

The National Library is sandwiched in-between two imposing structures comprising a bank and a-largely fence apartment. The obscurity given to the public library might even be taken as a blessing in disguise because the state of infrastructures within its compound would perhaps have exposed it to more ridicule if it hasn’t been so covered. The […]

The National Library is sandwiched in-between two imposing structures comprising a bank and a-largely fence apartment. The obscurity given to the public library might even be taken as a blessing in disguise because the state of infrastructures within its compound would perhaps have exposed it to more ridicule if it hasn’t been so covered.
The makeshift extension of the library for instance, is in pathetic state. Carved out to accommodate readers who may not be privileged to sit within the main library for study and research, the ceiling of the makeshift extension appears to be falling off gradually with two ceiling-boards already dangling precariously above the heads of few readers sitting there.
“Well, it won’t fall off on us. Afterall nobody is sitting directly under it,” Seyi Makanjuola, a reader at the makeshift extension, said.
Makanju told Bookshelf that the near-abandonment of the makeshift extension might not be unconnected with the fact that people only come in there, read and leave.
 “We really do not have any serious business with the main library. I mean this place saves us the stress of registering our identities or drop off our personal belongings. Though we don’t have access to the library books, yet I prefer this place to the actual library that is not ventilated especially when there is no public light or the generator isn’t working,” Makanjuola said.
Indeed, at the time of the visit, there was no power supply and neither was the generator running.
The ground section of the main library was in darkness, forcing the few readers sitting in its hall, straining the eyes. It was infact noted that some small drawers hosting catalogue of books were sparsely disoriented on a table while a few others were properly organised.
After checking through the catalogue and the reporter couldn’t locate the specific book he was looking for, he was directed by one of the librarians to the building first floor to carry out further search.
This section of the building appears to be neater than the ground floor. Yet it was not devoid of its own shortcomings. At the entrance to the expansive hall is the poster: E-library sponsored by Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).  But upon entering the room, one is confronted with a nearly desolate arena except for two library attendants who sat at the entrance point.
 A section of the hall is filled with books of all sorts arranged on the shelves. A scan through most of the available books showed that they are mixture of old and new books. Books such as Modern Human Relations at Work by Hodgetts and Hegar (2008), Human Resources Management by Werner, et al, published by South Western Cengage Learning, Chemistry  for Engineering Students by Brown Holme (2011) and Syllabus for 2013 UTME, among varieties of others are some of the resource materials on the shelves.
 “Most of the books are largely supplied by Federal Government through annual subvention we received. The amount, I don’t know but all I know is that there is an earmarked budget from Federal Government through the Ministry of Education,” a middle age woman-attendant who declined to give her name said upon enquiry.
 She said further that the rate of patronage has dropped off in recent years owning largely to the advent of internet. She said despite opening between Monday and Saturday, public attendance has significantly dropped and will only leapfrog anytime there is an impending public examination. A check at the attendance register at the entrance at the ground floor indeed confirmed that this reporter was the 13th person to be entering the library for the day at about 3pm.
 The other section of the hall is filled with computer sets, typical of a cyber café setting, except that the chairs and tables are not being occupied by anyone.
 “This is meant to be an e-library section. But since the computers were brought in and arranged, they haven’t been put to use probably because they haven’t been commissioned,” a middle age woman-attendant who decline to give her name said upon enquiry,” the library attendant said.
 According to the attendant, the management having realized the near-abandoned state of the libraries by many Nigerians because of the emergence of internet, had partnered with USPF to bring in the computer systems and run the place like the typical internet cyber café but at a cheaper prices and with abundant access to online books and other resources.
 Yet that has since remained a pipe dream many months after. This is because despite installing all computer hardware, it is really difficult to say when the e-library will eventually take off.
“Neither myself nor any of my colleague can tell you when this place will become functional,” the attendant quipped.
 Few kilometers away from the federal library on the same Herbert Macaulay road is the Lagos state owned library. With 10 of its likes scattered across different parts of the state, the State Library didn’t offer much excitement distinguishing it from the Federal
Library. Structurally, it really can’t compete with the federal owned. However in term of readers’ patronage and coordination, the state library appeared to have an edge. This may not be unconnected with the fact that it is more visible and closer to the road than the Federal government owned which is buried amidst gigantic structures.
 “On daily basis, we do have between 70 and 80 readers/researchers visiting this place. Of course, that figure is inconsequential when you compare it with what we normally have during public examinations periods. This whole place will be full to the brim and you can hardly have space to move around. It appears public exams is all that drives people to the libraries,” a library attendant who simply identified himself as Yusuf, said.
 A check through the main reading section of the library showed that only five people were actually occupying reading spaces in a hall could conveniently accommodate  about 150 people. And like the federal library, the shelves were stocked with both current and old books.  The handbook of mass media and ethics, edited by Wilkins and Christian (2009), The rules of Parenting, by Richard Templar (2008) and Private Intervention in Public Administration  by M.O Gafari, among others are some of the books on the shelves.
“Most books here are supplied through government earmarked allocations. However, we do have have supplies from parents, individuals, Non Governmental Organisations and Clubs such as Yaba Lions Club, as well as publishing firms such as Laterna Ventures Limited, among others,” Yusuf said.
Asked what the state government budget like is for the library, Yusuf declined to offer any response, reminding the reporter that he was not even meant to have talked to him in the first instance but his boss.
He also refused the snapping of photograph. “The library rule doesn’t allow that,” he said.
Perhaps of the greatest sad story among the public libraries visited in the area is the Mainland Local Government library which is just two buildings away from the State Library. Except for a small slate with the imprint; “Mainland Local Government Library”, which is hung at the uppermost part of the building, a first time visitor will likely mistake the structure for an abandoned colonial edifice or poultry.
 Though with a well-carved structure, the butter-like colour with which the structure was painted has faded off. And except one stepped into its main arena, it might be concluded from afar that no life exists in there. Of course there was a library attendant who was chatting with a man who later identified himself as a researcher, while three readers  who managed to sit on aged chairs were also seen in the hall, reading.
The library is actually made up of two main halls but one of these appeared to have been technically shut down while the functioning one was the one occupied by the readers.
 “The librarian is not around and I’m not authorise to speak to journalists,” the middle-age attendant said.
Kehinde Oladipo, who was seen chatting with the attendant was however forthcoming in speaking to the reporter. In his 30s, Oladipo said he is a researcher, publisher and a poet who has been used to the library for many years. He described the challenges facing the education resource centre as that of infrastructure and proper funding.
 “As you can see, the building has the stint of colonial masters but because its paint is fast eroding. For me, the two major challenges the library faces include, poor infrastructures that need to be upgraded and funding. But for the supply of the books, private organizations like Julius Berger have been trying and some social clubs around the area have been of great assistance,” Oladipo said.
Oladipo said notwithstanding the near-abandoned state of the library, the place is often crowded beyond imagination anytime there is a public examination. “It seems to me that people just read to pass these days,” he said.
 The researcher was however quick to add that the advent of internet and social networks in recent years appeared to have contributed to the dwindling reading culture among students and youths alike. He said it has also been observed, that the few people who come to read in the libraries are those who are hungry and are left with no alternative but to find somewhere to while away their time.
“Some people go to the libraries with empty stomachs. Not because they are passionate about the books but because they are left with little or no choice. And when people read with hunger, what will you ask them to recollect when there are needs for it? So my advice for government at all levels is that they should pump more into libraries because there is the resource base for every nations and a nation who allows its libraries to wallow away in ignominy, will leave to regret it in future,” Oladipo said.