Accra, Ghana, August 2, 2019//-West Blue Consulting, a world-class business and IT-consulting, and technology firm, has powered the e-Ananse Libraries, a new concept in public libraries in Ghana to revolutionize reading in the country.
To this end, the company through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative has supported the e-Ananse Libraries to build two public libraries for kids and adults at the University of Ghana, Legon and Osu, a suburb of Accra. The two libraries are expected to officially open this month.
The libraries are the realization of a long-held dream of West Blue’s founder, Ms. Valentina Mintah, to provide Ghanaians with culturally-relevant resources that celebrate African heritage in line with her mantra, “Think Global; Know Local.”
Briefing journalists at the state-of-the-art Osu e-Ananse Libraries facility, inside Baby Nest School premises, General Manager of West Blue Consulting, Kingsley Abeyieh, said: “The e-Ananse Libraries project is a concept developed to encourage reading among our kids and adults”.
He was confident that the concept would help improve the falling standard of education in the country.
On her part, the project consultant, Madam Sylvia Arthur revealed that 60 percent of the books in the libraries are being meant for adults while 40 percent are for kids.
She also added that 80 percent of the books in the e-Ananse Libraries are written by renowned African writers, while the 20 percent are written by non-African writers.
Features of the libraries
Touching on the features of the novelty libraries, Madam Arthur said: “Both e-Ananase libraries feature a core collection of contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction primarily by writers of African descent as well as niche collections unique to each library including beautiful children’s books, poetry and professional development”.
Smart tech
The e-Ananse libraries are equipped with state-of-the-art internet-enabled PCs giving patrons access to the full range of resources available on the web. Also, the entire e-Ananse facilities have WiFi connectivity so patrons can log on with their laptops and work independently.
Ananse theathre
Madam Arthur told the journalists: “The centrepiece of each e-Ananse library is the Ananse Hut, a magnificent outdoor space where our programmes of live literature events take place. Join us under the shade for a movie, an author reading, or spoken word. Enjoy delicious snacks from the food trucks outside. Hang-out with friends for fun”.
Supporting professional staff
The team of supporting professional staff know about books and have their fingers on the pulse of all that is big in African and world literature today, she said whilst conducting journalists around the Osu library today.
Central locations
The e-Ananse libraries are conveniently located at Osu and Legon, both suburbs of Accra, so that people can easily get to them wherever they are in Accra.
Open hours
The libraries are opened to the public from Tuesdays to Fridays at 12 noon to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm.
African Eye Report