Ibadan Book club to host Oyo State Librarian @June Book Reading - ITREALMS

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The Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has set aside June 26, 2021 to host Mrs. A.I Akinlolu, the current Oyo State Librarian as her Guest Writer/Reader for the month of June, reports ITREALMS.

The Coordinator of the Club, Ayobami Odunayo in a press statement available to ITREALMS, said that the event will take place at the Conference Hall of the Oyo State Library Board, Opposite Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan by 12p.m.

 

Mrs. Akinlolu will be talking on matters bordering on Oyo State Library Board, its past, present and future activities aimed at promoting and enhancing reading culture across Oyo State. She will also tour the intending participants around the state library as well as read from any of her favourite book(s).

 

Mrs. A.I Akinlolu, currently the Oyo State Librarian. Before now, Mrs. Akinlolu passed through the following positions: Librarian II 1987-1990, Senior Librarian 1990-1994, Prin. Librarian 1994- 1997, Chief Librarian 1997-2000, Assistant Director 2000- 2003, Dep. Director 2003- 2007, Director 2008 – 2014.

 

The Oyo State Library Board under the current headship of Mrs. A.I Akinlolu (State Librarian) came into existence historically in 1955, to support the free primary education of Western State Government led by Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It was then known as Western Regional Library, was established by the Western State Government to:(i) compliment the efforts of government toward improving the educational standard (ii) provide qualitative library services to the people of the region and to the school environment (iii) to encourage reading culture among the school children.

 

In 1976, when Oyo State was carved out of the Western state, the library nomenclature changed to Oyo State Library under the Ministry of Education while the Head of Library was renamed the Chief Librarian.

 

The development of Library services actually took place in 1988 when the Military Administration of Col. Sasaenia Oresanya decided to enact a law for the establishment of Oyo State Library Board which is regarded as an autonomous government parastatal with the enactment of Edict No 18 of August 1988. This development thereby gave way for the

composition of Board led by Prof. Adebimpe Aboyade and supported by four (4) other professional librarians including Prof. D.F. Elaturoti (then Dr. Elaturoti) and Mrs. Oderinde (then of Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan). The composition of the Board brought the

introduction of active library services in the state while the mandate given to the Board became more pronounced and includes provision of qualitative and quantitative library services throughout the state. These includes: (a) library services to the rural populace, (b) services to school libraries,(c) training of library personnel working in schools, local governments, ministries and other government parastatals (d) to serve as legal depository of all works published in the state.

 

In 1999, the State government approved the nomenclature of the Head of Library to change from the Director to the State Librarian; and now has 4 directorates namely (a) Public Library Services Department (b) Schools Library Services Department and (c) Administration and

Supply (d) Finance and Accounts. The Board has two (2) functional Branch Libraries in Ibadan at Elekuro and Bodija. Three Zonal Libraries were built outside the State capital at Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Saki respectively. The first two Zonal libraries are functional, while the other one is almost complete.

 

Presently, the Headquarters’ complex comprises of about 8 sections including an ICT unit which provides Information Technology services free of charge to the registered library users.

 

The upcoming book reading event promises to be an avenue for reading creative works such as poetry, fiction, book sales and signing, contacts with other readers and book writers in all corners of the state of Oyo, the statement added.

 

Prospective writers who have works in poetry, short stories and novels can also attend to read their works to other writers and readers. Membership forms and certificate of membership will be available at no charge to first timers.

 

Ibadan Book Club is an initiative of the Nigerian Young Writers Society. It was founded in 2011 by SYNW in order to contribute its own quota to the growth and development of the Reading Culture in the State of Oyo.

 

The Ibadan Book Club consists of a group of people who meet, meet periodically to discuss the book they have read and exchange those books. Club members encourage each other and learn to read with a critical mind, articulating their opinions about a particular book with others. Certain types of books not available or read receive attention through the book club.

 

Some of the publications published by Ibadan Book Club are: Olubadan Centennial Anthology: a collection of essays, articles, poems and works of art in honor of Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, Voices from Oja Oba Market and Finally, Senator Abiola Ajimobi: Memories, Dreams, Reflections of a Mind Always in Motion

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