Renovation of library excites director

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Ondo State Government has been commended for the ongoing renovation works at the state library board in Akure, the state capital.

The State Director of Library Service, Mr Bode Arawande  gave the commendation in an interview with The Hope at the library board.

Arawande, described the governments intervention as a silent revolution aimed at repositioning the facility and reconstructing of the agency which were almost facing imminent collapse.

He stated that the library which was commissioned in 1997 has remained a fountain of knowledge to students in the state since its establishment.

“The pitiable condition of the physical structures, if not rescued from rot would undoubtedly  cost government a fortune to re-erect. We really appreciate the present government for its determination to add value to the existing structures in the education sector.

“I witnessed the conception, birth ,and growth of the library complex, looking at these structures ageing and depreciating has been a source of worry to me, it has suffered so much neglect. The struggle to carry out a holistic renovation spanned through almost a decade before the present government came to its rescue.

“Providence has brought the library a friendly governor to steer the ship of this state at this time, if not for the prompt intervention, the story would have been different”, he maintained.

Arawande, who doubles as the state Librarian affirmed that the location of the complex makes it unique, hence the needs to ensure that it meets the information needs of the populace.

He however appealed to the state government to consider the establishment of a state of the art Computer Based Center ,CBT, at the complex ,saying that the facilities that are currently undergoing complete overhauling can conveniently take care of it.

He added that the office furniture and library equipment, which he said would form the content of the new library will require outright replacement as the ones there are as old as the library’s former structures.

He equally opined that establishing libraries in both the Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts of the state, with the library board in the state capital as the parent body will engender development ,and create opportunity  for people to have access to more information.

Cross section of students who visited the library to read in separate interviews with The Hope applauded the state government for repositioning the education sector.

To them, the renovation when completed will make it attractive and conducive for students and other readers to read, adding that the quality of the ongoing renovation works, starting from re-roofing is superb.