As its facilities expanded in the late 1980s, the Children’s Centre began seeking ways to extend beyond the university community by reaching out to schools in the vicinity.

Beginning visits to schools, 1988

Beginning visits to schools, 1988

This began in 1988 with a reading promotion project in six public primary schools around Nsukka. Students of the Department of Library Science conducted story hours and book sharing sessions, while the Children’s Centre Library provided resources and transport. This activity has continued over the years, with the bus also bringing groups of school children on library visits.

Developing Information literacy using local resources

Developing Information literacy using local resources

The need for information literacy even without standard libraries led to efforts to develop these skills using local community information resources as well as conventional library materials. Birds, occupations, transportation, markets, marriage ceremonies and gender discrimination have been among the topics investigated. This work has been presented in international conferences and journals.

Partnerships for school library development

Partnerships for school library development

Children’s Centre joined People United for Libraries in Africa (PULA) in a cooperative project to develop school libraries in the Nsukka area. Initially in 2004, six schools that had shown a high level of library awareness were given small collections. The project later expanded to include all interested schools in the area.

Training teachers in use of school libraries

Training teachers in use of school libraries

Training teacher-librarians is another concern, accomplished through a series of workshops on cataloging, literacy promotion activities and information literacy through project work. Members of the team have also gone to schools to share information on using libraries to enhance education with classroom teachers.

Workshops on information literacy

Workshops on information literacy

CCL also helps schools utilize library periods. Workshops have been held for teacher librarians and head teachers from schools in Nsukka Local Government Area to consider the use of library use instruction, story hour and project work in furthering the aims of education. The Nigerian School Library Association is spearheading efforts to obtain national approval of a curriculum for library and information literacy skills development.

Best School Library Competition

Best School Library Competition

In 2012-2013, 23 schools entered a Best School Library Competition organized by CCL. Each library was assessed three times on the basis of accommodation, collection, personnel, and use of the library; schools also submitted independent project work for evaluation. Best older school libraries were Community Primary School II, Nru; Agu Achara II; Agu Achara I; and Community Primary School I, Nru; while the best new school libraries were C.P.S. Amogbo and Urban Primary School.

Reading promotion

Reading promotion

Reading promotion events are planned around World Book Day and International Literacy Day, celebrated by taking storytelling and shared reading experiences to local primary schools, visiting the Centre for Academic and Vocational Training of Special Needs Children (CAVTSN), and conducting a seminar for students at a secondary school.