Ogun Education Stakeholders Champion Stronger School Libraries Through New Training Programme

 Building a Stronger Reading Culture: Ogun Librarians Receive Modern Library Management Training

More than 100 school librarians and teacher-librarians across Ogun State recently participated in a comprehensive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening literacy development and improving school library systems.

The initiative, organised by the Budding Leaders Empowerment Initiative (BUDLEIN) in partnership with the Nimbe Adedipe Library, brought together participants from public and private schools to enhance their knowledge of modern library practices and reading promotion strategies.

The training focused on equipping educators with practical skills in library management, digital resource utilisation, and reading culture development, while also aligning with global education standards and the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education.

Speaking during the programme, University Librarian Abayomi Owolabi highlighted the critical role school libraries play in shaping students’ academic growth and intellectual development. He stressed that libraries should be seen as active learning environments rather than mere book storage spaces.

According to him, functional libraries contribute significantly to how children read, think, and perform academically. He also encouraged schools to establish structured reading periods within academic schedules and ensure regular maintenance of library facilities to sustain a healthy reading culture among students.

Executive Director of BUDLEIN, Iyabode Kehinde, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving literacy levels across Nigeria through continued investment in school library development and librarian training programmes.

She described libraries as essential tools for educational transformation, noting that meaningful reforms in education cannot succeed without a strong culture of reading and access to information.

Facilitators at the event provided participants with hands-on training in key library operations such as cataloguing, acquisition procedures, classification systems, and effective sourcing of academic materials for students. Participants were also introduced to electronic resources and digital library tools designed to modernise school library services and improve learning support.

Many attendees described the programme as practical, insightful, and transformative for their professional growth. One participant, Mrs. Yemisi Ojo, said the training expanded her understanding of library systems and provided useful strategies for encouraging reading habits among pupils.

Organisers noted that the initiative reflects a broader effort to strengthen foundational education, improve school learning infrastructure, and better equip librarians to support educational outcomes across Nigeria’s basic and secondary school system.