The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has decried that the Federal Government has not shown much interest in the library system of the country, noting that the development might be because the system does not generate revenue directly.

NLA also called on the government to implement policies that would favour the easy operation of libraries in the country, urging the government to stop engaging non-librarians from manning libraries.

The Chairman of the Council and President of NLA, Dr. Dominic Omokaro, spoke at a press briefing as activities to mark the 67th National Conference cum Annual General Meeting of the body in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Omokaro, while noting the theme of the AGN as “Promoting Diversity and Inclusiveness Through Innovative Library and Information Service Delivery in Nigeria,” regretted that the government has not shown much interest in the smooth running of libraries in the country.

Omokaro said: “Maybe the government does not see the income value in the library is the reason the government is not interested in it. For them, they are not seeing the economic value. We call on the government also to look at Library Policies, particularly as they affect the Library and Information sector in Nigeria.

“We understand that the government is not showing too much interest in Librarianship despite our advocacy and all that we are trying to give assurances and hope to the government. One thing the government fail to realise is that Librarianship cannot be quantified in terms of economic revenues that come to them, but it helps in building the manpower they need we know that the Library is the Peoples University and if we do not empower the people, you do not give them education and capacity, of course, your economies will be affected.

“We need able-bodied men, educated, highly knowledgeable people to run the Nigerian economy and take it to the place that we want it to be in the 21st century,” he added.

Omokaro, who expressed satisfaction that the Minister of Education has tasked directors of the ministry to design a library policy, urged the government to reconsider funding for Librarian Registration Council funding.

“So Librarianship is calling on government to also identify with us and help promote the advancement in Librarianship. We want to particularly call on the Minister of Education, who has shown a keen interest in the affairs of Librarianship as one of his agendas in running the affairs of his ministry to also consider the Librarian Registration Council funding.

“It is very important and it is key to us as a professional body because it is a profession that Is highly regulated. Government should make every effort to consider funding for the Librarian Registration Council. That professional body as it is now, may not be able to fund itself,” he said. (Vanguard)