The Ghana Library Authority, the institution mandated by law to establish, equip, maintain and manage public libraries in Ghana, has emerged as the ‘Library of the Year’ by the London Book Fair (LBF) International Excellence Awards 2021.
It competed against the Kenya National Library Services (Kenya) and Public Library "Fran Galovic" Koprivnica (Croatia) in the final shortlist.
The Authority was awarded for its outstanding commitment to using technology to support remote learning to promoting information skills, literacy and reading.
In a press release announcing the winners, the judges of the London Book Fair International Excellence award wrote, "It really struck us as an amazing story of transformation and an example of how library services tackle some of the most pressing issues confronting their users.
"From using technology to support remote learning to promoting information skills, literacy and reading, this is a great example of the difference a quality library can make."
The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Hayford Siaw, in response expressed gratitude to the LBF for the recognition and also to the government of Ghana led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the renewed commitment to public library service delivery in Ghana.
Mr Siaw also acknowledged the staff of the GhLA for their commitment and dedication in connecting Ghanaians to knowledge resources.
He further stated “For us at the Ghana Library Authority, this recognition underscores the impact we have made in the last few years in transforming public library service to be responsive to the life-long learning needs of our citizens.
"From working with Commonwealth of Learning to support over 30,000 Ghanaians enrol in its Read2skill programme, supporting Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service with a Learning Management System for Basic education and enhancing our Digital Library with video tutorials, supported by UNICEF to deploy mobile library vans to transport books to homes of young people in the era of COVID-19, is a mark of innovation and relentlessness on the part of the staff of GhLA to support the Ghanaian life- long learner”.
The London Book Fair International Excellence Awards is organized by the London Book Fair in partnership with the Publishers Association (United Kingdom) to celebrate publishing achievement across seven categories. It recognizes organizations and individuals demonstrating notable originality, creativity, and innovation within the industry.
The six additional recipients of the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards 2021 include;
Findaway Voices (USA) - The Audiobook Publisher of the Year award
Carturesti (Romania) – The Bookstore of the Year award
Karadi Path Education Company (India) – The Educational Learning Resources Award
Editora Trinta Zero Nove (Mozambique) – The Literary Translation Initiative Award
Nora Mercurio, Suhrkamp Verlag (Germany) – The Rights Professional Award
Hachette UK – Inclusivity in Publishing Award, supported by the Publishers Association
Latest Stories
-
Black Star Festival launched; first edition scheduled for September in Washington DC
53 seconds -
Gov’t assures Ghanaians in Israel access to bomb shelters
1 minute -
Queen mothers trained to fight vaccine misconceptions across Ghana
7 minutes -
Minority Caucus demands urgent action as Ghanaians trapped in Israel and Iran conflict zones
14 minutes -
Robbers shoot farmer dead at Maame Ama village in A/R
15 minutes -
Ibrahim Mahama gifts Azumah Nelson Toyota Fortuner and cash
19 minutes -
NPP NEC holds high-stakes meeting over constitutional reforms, mulls electing flagbearer before executives
27 minutes -
Democracy Hub sues gov’t over deportation of foreign illegal miners without trial
31 minutes -
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Ghana Culture Forum host strategic Stakeholder dialogue
34 minutes -
Pope Leo XIV has distant ancestral ties to Justin Bieber, Madonna and other world leaders
42 minutes -
Kwame Sefa Kayi ignited my radio dream – KMJ
46 minutes -
Annoh-Dompreh’s family defends his royal lineage amid Adoagyiri chieftaincy unrest
47 minutes -
Venue change announced for Tamale Constitution Review forum
52 minutes -
Six new Mpox cases confirmed in Ghana, total rises to 91
53 minutes -
Sinapi Aba wins big at 68th Asantehene Golf Tournament in Kumasi
1 hour