Libraries vital source of information

I want to comment on a news article by titled “Librarian voices concern over books” (The National, July 22).
I support the concern of the former librarian to preserve books because libraries are vital learning facilities that our country currently lacks.
Many citizens may think that libraries have nothing to do for them without realising that it has the great impact in people’s lives, especially the developed nations.
A library is the place where knowledge and information are stored and managed.
In PNG, we have only one national library, archive and museum which are all located in Port Moresby.
The only place you would find libraries are universities, colleges and research intuitions.
However, most of our schools (primary, high and secondary schools) does not have library.
This is the biggest problem in our country because we don’t recognise the importance of library and archives.
Our Government’s main priority in education is a good investment but improving education services will do little for the people without libraries.
Students, researchers and the general public need information in their lives but without public libraries their information needs are not being catered for.
Our government should invest more in libraries and information centres throughout the country that will cater for the students, researchers and the general public.
For our country to have highly qualified citizens, we need to bring information to their door steps.
Establishing public libraries is a useful way of providing information to all out citizens.


Sky Bobeng, Via email