The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has stressed the need for libraries to be digital compliant to engage youths and improve reading culture.

Addressing members of the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), Anambra State Chapter, at their Annual Conference/AGM, with theme: “Libraries and Information Services in the New Technological Era”, held at Paul University, Awka, on Wednesday, Mefor maintained that librarians cannot meet the needs of the present generation without going digital through e-library.

He stated: “The present generation are native to digital technology and it has affected the way and manner they relate with books. Unlike our generation that are doing catch-up to modern technology, the present generation use the Internet, AI and others effortlessly.

“The association must understand that things have changed and find a pathway to connect to the digital world in order not to be left behind,” he added.
The Commissioner further observed that reading culture is seriously diminishing because of lack of understanding on how to present reading materials to today’s generation and urged writers to endeavor to modify the way they write to suit the digital world.
Educationists have said that library services in Nigeria is characterized by a declining reading culture, primarily due to factors like inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and the rise of digital alternatives.

However, they added that there is an ongoing effort to address these issues through government campaigns, private initiatives, and book clubs that are working to promote literacy and the use of libraries as essential services for knowledge enhancement and education sector development.