Changing the face of school libraries for equitable quality learning.

Abstract

University libraries are mainly established to support the core mandate of the university community in terms of learning and research activities. However, in recent time, Federal University of Technology Minna library has gone beyond these vision and mission in support of transforming the school libraries in its host community for equitable quality education. The objective of the project is to support secondary school libraries with learning materials such as textbooks, picture books, reference resources, computers, chairs and tables as well as set up school libraries where there is none. The project covers five (5) secondary schools in the host community where the university is sited. The secondary schools include Bosso Secondary School Minna, Maitumbi Secondary School, Ahamdu Bahago Secondary, Government secondary school and Futminna Staff School libraries where all were supported with learning materials. This project has supported learning with ample provision of resources, thereby fulfilling the mandate of leave no one behind for sustainable development. This is especially beneficial to students from poor homes whose parents cannot afford textbooks and other learning materials. The schools were selected based on their immediate needs assessment. The University library has established a good relationship with these schools for on-going literacy activities.