The Reading Culture And The Nigerian Child: The Role Of The Library In Child Development

Abstract

The educational policy of Nigeria focuses sharply on child development and takes serious cognisance of the role of libraries in schools and colleges, It emphasises the importance of the establishment of libraries at all levels of the educational system. Yet, this ideal has not been realized at the primary and secondary school levels. These constitute the base of the educational system of the nation. This pathetic situation calls for a reordering of priorities in the implementation of education policies. This paper accepts that Nigeria does not have a reading culture, but upholds an acculturation that can transform our culture into a reading one for the benefit of our society. Strategies towards achieving this are exhaustively analysed. The paper also asserts that the capability to read is a prerequisite to a full appreciation of library resources and their usage. It calls for a serious drilling of children in reading and library skills by teacher librarians. The role of the library in developing the child’s reading habit is emphasised. Children are most receptive to information and learning at childhood. Any habit formed at this early stage of life tends to remain permanent.

Keywords: the child, reading culture, school library, child development.