By Ikechukwu Uche

CALABAR- THE  Cross-River State Library, Calabar and other state-owned libraries, previously the pride of Cross-Riverians, are on their last legs, parading outdated books with book-lovers disillusioned at the unpleasant turn of events.

The state library opened April 17, 1989, has degenerated to the level where people use the precincts at weekends for wedding receptions. Ironically, erstwhile governor, Mr. Donald Duke, utilised it for choice state events during his tenure.

Dilapidated Cross River Library

It had turned to a shadow of itself, especially after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Calabar fire incident that shattered the glasses and caused more damage, which invariably defaced the edifice

The libraries at Ikom, Ogoja and Calabar are also in bad shape.   They all require revamping of infrastructure and re-stocking of antiquated books.

Investigation by NDV showed that the long desertion by state government has affected the already dying reading culture in the state with more people now depending on the National Library for research books.

Indeed, quite a number of people still prefer making references to hard copy materials than using the internet (Google, Wikipedia, etc).

Practically shattered – Adetunji

One of the users, Mr. Linus Adetunji who has patronised the library for more than 10 years, said he was dumbfounded at the development.

His words: “My mentor and friend, Dr Okpo Ujah, bragged a lot about the Cross River State Library because of how equipped it was then and how wonderful the place was and truly, I was not disappointed the first time I visited in 2005.  The place was really exquisite with state-of-the-art furniture and very good books, I mean relevant ones, but all that has become history now.

“I am sure that if Okpo was still alive, he would have written several pieces on the rejuvenation of the place because the Cross River State Library at Calabar and Ogoja are eyesores. Okpo would be turning in his grave by now because the books in the once well-equipped library are almost obsolete, the place is almost comatose,” he said.

Antiquated books – Odey

Another user, Mr. Moses Odey, from Yala, told NDV, “Unless you are researching issues about 1914, you cannot make use of the Cross River State Library, what is now available are books of Lord Lugard, there are no current materials. The books you are looking at now, I came with them, the place needs urgent revamping and re-stocking and the staff strength needs to be boosted too.

“Another painful part is that you cannot use this place on Saturdays because people now use this place for wedding receptions making it impossible for people of my kind to come here. I know many people think that reading/research is for students alone, it is not true.   There are people who still use hard copies and not the internet or online,” he bemoaned.

“We have two professors as governor and deputy governor, yet, one of the souls or engine room and source of our development is dying. History and development are stored in books. They must sit up and live up to expectation, it is so disappointing that someone who was once a vice-chancellor can allow this to be happening under his watch, it is unacceptable and appalling,” he stated.

Demoralizing – Anyogo

A Notary Public,   Leonard Anyogo,   said: “For people like me, it is heartbreaking to see the library in that state; it is equally disheartening and the Cross River State Government must, as a matter of urgency, do something about the place.

“I learnt that there was an inspection of the place and a committee set up. All these are good steps in the right direction, but there must be speedy implementation, as the state of that place is affecting the students negatively,” Anyogo pointed out.

No subvention – Official

A top official of the Library, who pleaded anonymity, asserted that the state of the facility was nothing to write home about, as they suffer leaking roof, broken glass wall because of the explosion that rocked the CBN, last year.

“As we speak, we have not received any form of subvention whatsoever for over a year. The library has not received any new book for years and this is not good for the system. There is supposed to be updating and re-stocking always to make the facility rich with materials, which is what attracts the reading community (students, researchers, notary public and many more).

“We no longer have people who work in the place because of the dilapidated state. Many people are leaving while others have retired. We need people who are fresh and passionate in the place. There are many graduates in this field who need to be employed to fill in a lot of important vacant positions that can help the place,” he said.

National Library takes over

The Branch Manager, National Library, Calabar branch, Mr. Nkereuwem Etuk, told our reporter: “Our facility has more people lately, especially during examination because you need to read or study in a very conducive environment and a lot of students flood this place. Our facility is full at all times during and after school hours, many people visit this place because we keep updating and re-stocking. The library is a living organism, the book is the soul,” he submitted.

Contacted, Commissioner for Education in the state, Hon. Goddy Etta, said: “My brother, it is clear, you have seen the state of the library, which is what it is.”