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READERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION LITERACY ADVOCACY NETWORK IN NIGERIA (REDILA)

BY

PROFESSOR FELICIA EDU-UWEM ETIM

Readership Development and Information Literacy Advocacy Network in Nigeria

Introduction and Background: Reading is a fundamental skill for learning, personal growth and enjoyment. The degree to which students can read and understand text in all formats (e.g. picture, video, print) and all contexts is a key indicator of success in school and in life. Reading is the best way to develop the brain, for an individual to share in a competitive world. Hence readers make the most effective leaders. American Association for school librarians (2007). The Centre for Readership Development (2010) believed that to read is to empower, to empower is to write, to write is to influence, to influence is change and to change is to live. Recent studies have shown that there is a growing acceptance of the fact that a country social and economic progress greatly depends on its people having access to the vast expanse of knowledge provided by the printed world. Nehru (2010) proposes “that the world of books is the most remarkable creation of man, nothing else that he builds never lasts, monument fall, nation parch, civilizations grow old and die out, and after an era of darkness new races build others but in the world of books are volume that have seen this happen again and again and live on still as fresh as the day within still taking men’s hints”. “Literacy and Reading is crucial to the acquisition by every child, youth and adult of essential life skills”. UNESCO declared 2003 to 2012 as the decade of literacy. They recognised that everyone needs to develop the ability to access, assess, and use information in a variety of ways. Libraries are uniquely situated to promote literacy and reading. It is a part of their mission. And it is a mission of all types of libraries from school and public to special, research, university and national. This paper discusses the international organisations manifesto for reading and information literacy, readership development in Nigeria and the intervention of REDILA – Network as a strategic approach to creating a reading culture and lifelong learning. It projects the mission of REDILA as an interest group to collate with AFLIA to support the Library and information profession that anticipates and responds to the needing communities in Africa.

International Organisation – Readership Development and Information Literacy: International bodies are strongly advocating the building of knowledge societies where the power of reading and information literacy helps people access the knowledge they need. The information bodies are:- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),  International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA) African Library and Information Association  and Institutions (AFLIA), United Nation (UN), American Library Association (ALA), Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Governments, Inter-governmental and Non-governmental Organisations, Academia, Civil Society and the Private Sector have all come to the conclusion that Readership Development and Information Literacy is indicator of success in school and life. The international bodies especially UNESCO/IFLA Public Library Manifesto, 1995 proclaims that: Teenagers need special attention since many abandon voluntary reading at this stage of their lives. They should be introducing to a wide array of books compatible with their changing interests. Public libraries should provide an opportunity for children to experience the enjoyment of reading and the excitement of discovering knowledge and works of the imagination. The United Nation’s Convention stresses the right of every child to the development of his or her full potential, the right to free and open access to information materials and programs, under equal conditions for all, irrespective of age, race, sex, religion, language etc. IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for development posits that Target groups should include babies, pre-school children, school children, special needs groups, parents, caregivers and other adults working with children, books and media. Young adults should be given to physical, digital and program activities. For example; free access to Internet, reference information to support educational achievement and personal development, conducting library tour that support self-sufficiency and comfort level in using the library; training for literacy and information finding skills and many others.

IFLA/UNESCO strongly recommended programmes such as: book talks, storytelling and book promotion; Discussion groups and clubs, information programmes on topic of interest such as health, careers current issues; performance of a cultural nature such as music, art, and drama, Reading debates and others. They also specify that staff who works with young adults should have the following skills and competencies; understanding of the unique developmental needs of young adults; respect for young adults, advocacy, partnership, creative thinking etc. Cooperation with other institutions:- The quality of Library Services for young adults demands a good network with other professional or voluntary institutions in the local community. The young adult activities in cultural, educational and professional networking. Librarians should have resources and they know-how to be the professional coordinators for the benefit of young adults. Qualitative and quantitative measures should be used to determine the success of young adult programmes and services. They also advocate that adequate core funding should be provided to maintain and improve the quality of materials and services offered to the public. The President of IFLA Sinnikka Sipila, WLIC (2015), Lyon declaration on Access to Information and Development proposes that everyone has access to, is able to understand, use and share the information that is necessary to promote sustainable development and democratic societies.

Readership Development and Information Literacy in Nigeria: There has been series of awareness campaign by National Bodies such as Social Media Awareness. NGO’s Professionals, Reading Groups Campaign, National and International Reading Association, Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN) Conferences and Workshops on Readership Promotion Campaign (RPC) by National Library, JEGGLO, Reading Competition, Nigerian Library Association, Readership Akwa Ibom State, Library Week, the Reading House, Flyers, Postcards, Jingle on Radio and Television by Nigerian Library Association. Promote Nigeria via different initiatives. They are all campaigning and lamenting the dwindling level of the reading culture in Nigeria. Inspite of all these there seem to be embarrassing cases of mass failures being recorded in school certificates examinations. Nigerian intellectuals used to be the brides of the Western World because of their high intellectual capacity, but what we currently have now are students and artisans who can hardly compete favourably locally let alone on global platform. Our future leaders are already exhibiting apathy to knowledge acquisition through reading. Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria proposes that: * Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, * Improving people income ratio through education and reading awareness, * Achieving Universal Primary Education encouraging both boys and girls alike to complete a full course of primary schooling, * Promoting Gender Equality and empowering women, * Making available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.

Readership Development and Information Literacy Advocacy (REDILA) - NETWORK REDILA - REDILA project was initiated in 2008 with the aim of developing a reaching culture and lifelong information literacy. REDILA is trying to solve the reading and information literacy problems exhibited by children and adult in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular. REDILA has been undergoing some activities since her inception for example: REDILA Network is an intervention to enhance the culture of reading and develop historical and cultural heritage. REDILA has it Network Project including: Objectives/Goals of REDILA, Visions of REDILA, Mission of REDILA, REDILA board of Trustees and a Constitution structure, REDILA Work Plan 2015-2017, Project Constitution REDILA, Activities of REDILA January – April 2015- 2017.

Objectives/Goals of REDILA 1.	To project libraries as dynamic facilities, places of opportunity, instruments for democracy and bridges to the world. 2.	To present a platform for advocacy and sensitization in order to solicit for more funding to promote libraries. 3.	To promote increased use of libraries and information services 4.	To develop a forum for continuing education, recreation and intellectual discourse in society. 5.	To make books and other information resources available to children, especially in rural areas. 6.	To improve academic performance in schools by supplementing formal education. 7.	To inculcate good reading habits and love of books in young people 8.	To sensitize the community on the necessity for reading and the fundamental importance of knowledge to the community.

Visions of REDILA: “A sustained cost effective and appropriate library and information service to accommodate the need of information seekers and maintain a reading culture in society”.

Mission of REDILA: “To promote and provide reading resources with appropriate training facilities and infrastructure for an information driven society”.

REDILA Strategic Action Work Plan 2017-2020, Project Constitution Goal	Mission	Outcome	Activity To make books and other information resources available to children especially in rural areas. Kindergarten & primary school children	Showcasing books to children as amusing entertainment and inspirational	Children recognize that reading is fun children are empowered with library & information handling skills Organising reading clubs in public schools family reading festival Jan.-June 2015-2017 To generate information on family history students in	Preservation of family history and cultural heritage	Entrenchment of integrity connections and perspectives linking generations of family history	Students documentation of descendants line and cultural heritage Jan. 2015-Dec. 2017 To expose rural dwellers to book as information materials. Adults working with children	 Continuous readership promotion for community members Building of self-esteem and discipline in rural citizens.Periodic public rallies and town hall meetings with books on wheels Jan. 2015 – 2017 To develop in students the ability to define needs, search, evaluate utilize books and other information media. Student in tertiary institutions Inculcate in the students the love to utilize information in different media effectively to accomplish specific purposes	Students should master basic skills in acquiring and storing their own information needs To visit schools and parent to teach library information literacy skills July – Dec. 2015-2017