In todays digital world, it’s safe to say most people don’t read anymore. Aside reading to write exams or for an interview, that’s it for most people. But when it comes to scrolling on their screens, they’re in 24/7.
There’s this saying where they say that if you want to hide something from a black man, put it in a book. That’s the reality of almost half of our population today.
Growing up, I’ve always been one to read. While my siblings and mates were watching cartoons I was in my dads library reading any book I could lay hands on. Before age 13, my room was more like a library and I even started to have issues with my mom because of that. I didn’t have a life because of books and she wasn’t happy about that but my dad was there to back me up.
I love reading and the whole concept of books. These days, having physical books is a hassle cos first it’s very expensive, and second you hardly get the original copy. Because everything is online now, you’d have to resort to the electronic version of everything. But if you’re a book person you’d agree with me that sometimes you need to feel the book in your hand, pass your fingers through the pages and smell the book to be able to connect with it. Especially when it’s one of these fictional stories.
Last I checked, people didn’t go to the library until it was time for exams and to tell you the truth, I hated those moments because the library which was once quiet is now so loud and busy. To me, libraries aren’t just rooms with books, and probably an old lady in glasses passing her time away. Libraries are an experience for me. If libraries were only to keep books then we could just get a room to stash whatever books we wanted to in. But, it goes way beyond that.
You know that feeling you have when you get to the library, yes, that peace and quiet. That’s the first step. Then you find yourself spending 4 hours , then 8, then 10 until you just give up and stay. The library is addictive because it goes beyond keeping books. It’s more like a safe space for you. You don’t necessarily need to read a book when you go to the library. People go there for various reasons.
I don’t believe there are a lot of resources being allocated to libraries in Ghana here. It’s just the basics and the whole environment is made to look nice and welcoming. Aside that, you’d be sure to have old books which are mostly very helpful but have collected dust over the years cos no one touches them. If you ask me , I’d say we should invest more into library spaces and encourage our young ones to visit more often. Cultivating the habit of reading in them will go a long way to shaping them.
all images belong to me.
