NIGERIAN LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

BY MICHELE AYRES 10/11/2010

Library consultant: Greensprings School, Lagos, Nigeria , 2009 – 2010

Brief: in a 12 week contract develop existing libraries at Anthony and Lekki campuses. Establish an International Baccalaureate library at Lekki campus

Nigeria states http://www.bing.com/images/search?

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Lagos , Nigeria

Driver Isiah

Lagos city http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos

Population in dispute, 15.5 million or ? See wikipedia

People: 12 main tribes and languages (240 officially), predominantly Yoruba

Religions: most common- Christian/Catholic, Muslim, tribal variations and juju

Politics: anything goes coups, militarism, wars and an attempt at belated democracy….

Weather: November-February, hamatton season- cool dry winds average temps 30’s upwards, humidity high

Famous musician Fela Kuti, songs of justice and and freedom

juju

Crown Estate Compound

Half a house

Greeting the day at 5am to

A cackling cacophony: turkeys belonging to chef neighbour

Muslim prayer call floating across the jungle

Christian singing and prayer behind the wall, female minister and her husband

home

Greensprings School http://www.greenspringsschool.com/

founder and director Mrs Koiki

Greensprings: Anthony Campus, 1985

Original site, school role 1200 pupils, pre-school Montessori to Year 12

Librarians: 1 manager, 1 teacher, 3 library assistants

Greensprings: Lekki Campus

New site 2006: school role 1200 pupils pre-school Montessori to Year 12, senior boarding facilities

Library: 1 teacher, 1 librarian, 2 library assistants – Joseph, Phillip, Elijah, Esiwo

Library development

Then: Library = class visits to borrow a book Now: Staff training, job descriptions Inquiry learning, link curriculum, class topics Web 2 tools Library handbook Mission statement, library plan and policies Search star catalogue Library webpage, campus link between Lekki

& Anthony

Lekki: International Baccalaureate Library

Planning December 2009Established January 2010

Challenges

Language: understanding pidgin, Yoruba Communication: clarity/comprehension in

instructions- yes ma, no ma, you the boss ma- translates, I really don’t understand, but mustn’t lose face

Juju at school and in the community Sourcing resources with limited web connection Conversions: US dollars, British pounds,

Nigerian niara for library resources Humidity in IB library

Therapy

Rewards

Student/staff appreciation of developments and a new IB library linked to the outside world

Outstanding IT department Great English departments Xmas show at Anthony

School Christmas show

Memorable

People – hard to leave new friends Markets Tailors – dressmakers Hairdressers who love to add

‘expression’

Badagry slave post http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/48405/Badagry

Badagry : slave post

Well of madness

Point of no return

Living: artists surviving

Fuel: unbelievably cheap, outrageously expensive- anything goes

Incidents

Road blocks where police check your credentials and search your vehicle for human heads

Travelling: providing a bribe picnic basket of beer, food and small change (hiding cash and valuables)

Driving to distant cities and encountering stickmen intent on kidnapping, ransom or theft and murder

Avoiding village Oru (pacifying the spirits after villagers deaths) – anyone seen out after dark will disappear

children may learn anywhere,

Village children playing Oru

anyway……

Finally read

Chimananda Ngozi Adiche short stories

The thing around your neck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7aOt7JYTik

Carpe diemGo today!