Mr. Turay lauded Book Aid International for their partnership with the Sierra Leone Library Board as the Library has benefitted so much from the partnership, which includes refurbishment of five children’s Libraries yearly, training of Librarians to empower them with the necessary skills and knowledge to adequately upkeep the libraries and purchasing books locally published by Sierra Leoneans to ensure that kids are exposed to traditional Sierra Leonean stories.
Mr. Turay urged staff to make good use of the opportunity provided by Book Aid International to groom staff on basic library management skills to ensure that the Children corners are well kept. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff for the invaluable role played by Book Aid International in bringing the Sierra Leone Library Board to higher height.
Mr. Turay welcomes the Program Manager Book Aid International Judith Henderson to Sierra Leone and thanked Book Aid for contributing immensely in improving the standard of education in the country. He encouraged staff members from the various children’s libraries in the country to make good use of the opportunity and develop their Knowledge and Skills in managing Children’s Corner.
Declaring the workshop open, a member of the Board Mr. Solomon R. Fofanah reiterated that it is very important for the children’s library to provide early access to information and books, and create contacts with peers, as this will give opportunity to kids to learn how to live with others, protect their own rights while respecting the rights of others. He commended Book Aid International for helping the library to continue their drive to build the linguistic skills needed for evolving competencies of the society.
Mr. Fofanah noted that it is very important to build up Children’s Corners in all libraries as early childhood education serves to guide children to appreciate and accept differences and become well-rounded contributors to society. He expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Book Aid International for their continued assistance to the Sierra Leone Library Board and pray that they will continue to support the Library.
In her statement, the Program Manager; Book Aid International Judith Henderson said that they believed that librarians are key to communities being able to make the most of their libraries but many professional librarians in Africa have not been trained in how to run a successful children’s library. She said their programs are aimed at improving the reading opportunities for children and work to support specialist training for librarians in working with children.
Mrs. Henderson said that they want to transform libraries into special and welcoming environments for children where young readers are guided to books which will capture their interest, develop their reading skills and where the habit of reading regularly is nurtured. She stressed that through this training, they are building a sustainable network of librarians across Africa where knowledge, ideas and expertise can be shared.
Earlier in her remarks, the Administrative Assistant and Head of Programs at the Sierra Leone Library Board Mrs. Theresa Conteh emphasized that emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. She noted that is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, so as to maximize their future well-being.
