How libraries are surviving in the digital age

Books have long been the lifeblood of learning. Some decades ago, the only places you could have limitless access to books, was the libraries. But you can’t say same for the world of today.

As the world embraces digitalization, books have metamorphosed from hard covers to soft screens, from physical shelves to digital realm. How does this revolution affect our traditional libraries and how does this impact our reading lifestyle?

I journeyed to some community libraries in Accra expectant to meet empty seats and deserted buildings.

The narration I envisaged prior to my visit was completely different. I was pleasantly surprised to see an encouraging number of patrons.

The librarians on duty tell me the increased patronage is due to a myriad of factors.

“The library has experienced a lot of patronage for the past years. Back in the days, people just come to the library to borrow books. We have the braille materials so there are times that the blind or the partially impaired are able to come in to use these as well. We have the magnifying device, when you have issues with your visuals, you can come and use it.” Jacobson Kudjo described.

“We have people who come to the library to learn, and others just come to relax. We have a date tree that people travel from far and near just to come and see, we also have a theatre too.” Ayisha Afagachie expressed.

For some students they appreciate the flexibility of these smart libraries which positively affect their academic work.

“I really like this library a lot because it has very beautiful facilities and I feel very relaxed and comfortable. When I’m at the library, I get supervised and get all the required help from the librarians unlike learning at home.” A student explained.

“I like coming to the library to read a lot because immediately I take my phone to make any research, I get notifications from WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram which distracts me a lot. The best thing for me is to come to the library.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Library Authority, Hayford Siaw revealed their continued efforts to transform libraries with increased technology integration and enhanced furnishings.

“Over the years, the work has been to establish, equip, maintain and manage public libraries in Ghana. We’ve recognized the influence of technology and for that reason the Library Authority has not just relied on the traditional services of having static libraries for people to be able to come in and read. We’ve moved to also connect Ghanaian citizens to knowledge through the digital systems and so we currently have a digital library App that you can download from play store and Appstore and read.”

Concerned about the growing prevalence of digital device usage and its effects, Dr. Wilhelmina Anita Wirrom, an optometrist at the 37 Military Teaching Hospital addressed the direct health impacts stemming from this issue.

“When we take patients on a scale of 1-10, we have about 4 to 6 people coming in with issues of screen time. We have the age-related macular diseases. So, when we take the human eye, the macular is part of the retina and that is the place that optimum vision is achieved, and that place has compounds that protect it at the macular side.

These compounds absorb the blue light from our screens to the human eye. So, when you expose this place to a certain usage of screen devises with, it turns to degenerate them. We always acknowledge that people go in for protectives and sometimes we recommend supplements. Research is showing that long term screen time amongst kids is increasing myopia in kids and stigmatism,” he said.

Despite what appears to be a surge in the number of people who read on electronic devices, libraries are also changing their approach.

It is an undisputable fact that the integration of technology has transformed libraries, gradually shifting them towards a new paradigm that better serves the evolving needs of users.

That notwithstanding, precautionary measures must be taken to protect one’s health.

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