Uchechukwu Nnaike
The Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), in collaboration with the National Library of Nigeria, has established the Green Library to promote reading culture, environmental literacy, and sustainable practices among children and young adults (four to 17 years).
The co-founder of ZODML, Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri, said the library pioneers ‘green’ practices, integrating renewable energy, recycled materials and energy-saving measures into its operations, serving as a model for future eco-friendly libraries.
She said craft-making with recycled materials and games is available apart from books, making learning enjoyable.
Esiri said the library’s eco-friendly attributes include floor tiles made from recycled tyres, ceiling fans instead of air conditioners, energy-saving LED lighting, solar panels as a renewable energy source, wood bookshelves, chairs, and tables, cotton fabric floor cushions, a collection of e-books that complement paper books, and the promotion of e-reading as an eco-friendly practice.
She stated that her organisation, registered in 1999, established its first library in Ikoyi and has since established libraries in prisons and local government primary schools.
She said the green library was set up because her company observed that children frequent the children’s section of the Ikoyi library and are eager to borrow and read books.
She added that the library has a section equipped with tablets containing many e-books and internet access, where older children could come and do their homework.
She called for more collaboration to establish more libraries to tackle the poor reading culture in the country.
The Deputy Director of the National Library, Mrs. Obianuju Onuorah, described the collaboration as a welcome development because the National Library already had plans to create children sections in its 32 states of operation.
She said the children’s section in the library is designed to catch children young and make them lifelong readers. In addition, the library is situated in a central location that provides easy access.
Onuorah lauded the library’s eco-friendly attributes, saying the children will also learn to care for and preserve the environment.
She called for more collaboration to replicate the children’s section in its branches across the country.
