The Nasarawa State Branch of the National Library of Nigeria has decried the total lack of electricity supply to its facility in Lafia for over 14 years.
The Head of the branch, Angela Anya, disclosed the challenge during an interview in Lafia on Wednesday.
Anya emphasized that a steady power supply is critical for academic research, learning, and the digital preservation of historical records, noting that the prolonged outage has severely hampered the library’s daily operations and service delivery.
In addition to the power crisis, she highlighted several other operational hurdles facing the facility, including a lack of internet connectivity and insufficient bookshelves to house publications.
Anya appealed to the Nasarawa State Government, corporate organizations, and public-spirited individuals to intervene and assist the institution in overcoming its infrastructural deficits so it can effectively perform its statutory functions.
Describing the National Library as a vital repository of Nigeria’s historical and cultural heritage, she called on scholars, researchers, and innovators to make full use of its available resources.
She also reminded authors and researchers of their statutory obligation to deposit copies of their publications and research findings with the National Library for permanent preservation and inclusion in the national bibliography.
Furthermore, Anya urged private companies and philanthropists to complement government investments by supporting the establishment of modern library infrastructure equipped with digital databases, research tools, and digitized archives.
Addressing publishers regarding regulatory compliance, Anya warned against the production of educational and cultural materials without securing the required International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
She cautioned that publishing or circulating materials without the requisite ISBN constitutes an offense liable to statutory penalties under the law.
