As part of efforts to promote environmental literacy and encourage reading culture among children, the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), in partnership with Zacchaeus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Library (ZODML), has unveiled a ‘green library’ to transform the traditional library experience.

The Green Library, according to the organisation, is a place for hands-on learning where children and young adults aged between four and 17, are expected to read and explore, and are inspired to become active conservationists in future.

Addressing journalists at the launch, the Deputy Director of National Library, Lagos branch, Obianuju Onuorah, said the partnership with ZODML is aimed at promoting environmental literacy and sustainable practices.

Onuorah expressed satisfaction that the vision to build an informed citizenry by creating a space for young, reading audience, was being fulfilled.

She said: “This partnership is a dream come true, we’ve always provided access to the general public, including children, but our chief executive officer, Prof. Veronica Anunobi, said there’s a need to have a children section in all the branches of NLN. So, when ZODML came with the proposal, it was easy for us to provide space.

“This is a new kind of library for children, as everything in it is tailored to meet children’s needs. We will introduce reading and play activities that would stimulate their interest. We have so many programmes that enhance reading culture, like the Reading Promotion Campaign (RPC), a yearly programme organised by NLN on readership. When a child is being taught to read from an early age, it becomes a lifelong habit,” Onuorah added.

She appealed to corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to also step in and help advance the course of reading culture by supporting the initiative.

Onuorah enjoined would-be sponsors to implement similar initiatives in remote communities, so books could be made readily available to children and adults alike in under-served communities, to raise the literacy levels of the citizenry.

She said: “We have 32 branches of the National Library of Nigeria across the country. If this can be replicated in other places, it will help our children. In the Green Library, there’s a space for homework, which would save parents the trouble of buying lots of books.”

Giving an insight into the project, the co-founder and chairperson of ZODML, Mrs Ifeoma Esiri, said the idea of setting up the green library is to promote environmental literacy and sustainable eco-friendly practices among children so that they would live with the knowledge to adulthood.

According to her, the green library is a place for hands-on learning and exploration, where children and young adults are inspired to become active environmental conservationists as they grow older.

Esiri disclosed that most of the books and other items in the section were donated by families and friends of ZODML, authors, corporate organisations and philanthropists, for the use of the children free of charge.

ZODML’s work is inspired by the life and legacy of Zacchaeus Onumba Dibiaezue, who, through self-learning and access to libraries, was able to transform his life and the lives of others.

The organisation provides free access to libraries, digital resources, information, and learning tools to aid self-learning.