Juliet Alex-Nmecha

In recent times no one seems to talk about private libraries as much as other library types like, public, school, special, academic and national libraries. Private libraries are those libraries owned, financed and are taken care of by individuals. Private libraries are ‘spring boards’ for better articulation and utilization of other libraries from a tender age. Just like other library types keep and house books, so are the private libraries. Books are beautiful, and they sure do warm up a room or, in some cases, an entire building (Temple, 2012). Library of any type is an information broker because; it provides access to information which is one of the resource components that determine success and achievement of a person and any nation. In this case, children are to start early enough to engage in the use of libraries.

There is need for private libraries in all homes in order to have a significant place for the children to seek and use information relevant to them and their world.
The need for private libraries in various homes is immeasurable. There is no freedom to the holdings of this library type, meaning that visitors and non-family members are not allowed to access the holdings unless the owners permit.

The need to appreciate the library later in one’s life begins from our homes. According to Ogbonna (2009), ever before the establishment of libraries in our various institutions and communities, private libraries have been in existence and have the longest history among other libraries. Some of our notable fathers like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr.Henry Car, Herbert Macauley etc., had private libraries of reputable collections. Henry Car had about 18,000 volumes of collections in his private library. This library was pronounced the biggest and largest private library in the whole of West Africa. It is worth knowing that an American entrepreneur Jay Walker’s private library also was built according to him to promote the use of library and the acquisition of knowledge from the root. This library became so important and massive that his house was designed and built around it to enable easy access to the library. A private library also informs the adult members of the family.

A private library in our homes will build into the households’ knowledge, and information in their chosen careers. The following are some of the gains of having private libraries. These are:

• Private libraries encourage reading among the family members
• It provides information through its collections
• It enhances teaching and learning
• It creates in the children an early passion for libraries
• It stimulates their intellect and creative abilities
• Builds in-depth collection of the profession and careers of a particular household that establishes one

The early introduction of libraries in our homes exposes the children to the use of libraries because, what they see, hear and experience go a long way to building up their future in the use of library as they proceed for future educational pursuit.

Let’s build libraries in our homes!

References

Ogbonna, I.M. (2009). Appreciating the Libraries. 3rd ed. Enugu: His Glory Publishers.
Temple, E. (2012). 20 Beautiful Private and Personal Libraries. Accessed from: flavorwire.com/261320/20-beautiful-private-and-personal-libraries.

Author: Juliet Alex-Nmecha

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