NLN, Coderina Flag-off STEAM Library Project in Bauchi
As part of efforts to equip Nigerians with digital literacy skills to function effectively in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) in partnership with Coderina Education and Technology Foundation have launched the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) library project in the Bauchi State Branch of the National Library of Nigeria.
The Bauchi STEAM training project is the fifth of such ‘makerspace’ to be launched by the partnership. The project was launched in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna within the last two years, and the sixth will be located in Enugu in a few weeks’ time.
The partnership has Coderina equipped the children sections of the National Library branches in the respective states with robotics kits, laptops, 3D printers and other learning tools to make them more inclusive and cater for different ways of learning – visual, auditory, reading, writing or kinesthetic. Such diverse forms will boost lifelong learning for in-school, out-of-school learners, and upgrade the skills of adult learners to help them function in an increasingly digitalized world.
Speaking of the partnership which kickstarted in 2020, the National Librarian/ chief executive officer (CEO), Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi said while the world of work and library use changes, library use must evolve from ‘purely paper-based to new media and information spaces’ that opens up opportunities for lifelong learning, literary enhancement, an enhanced citizenry and the exploration of interests through hands-on, and creative projects. She said: “In the two years of running this initiative at the National library branches, over 1050 in-school and out-of-school children, as well as 100 young adults have benefitted from learning coding, robotics and project-based activities across the multiple locations. We are grateful to Coderina for this life changing opportunity to reimagine our libraries, and we call on well-meaning private and public organizations to support this intervention with Coderina to open in all branches of the apex library by end of 2023.”
Addressing audience at the event, Chairman Board of Trustees, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, Mr Femi Niyi, said public libraries are platforms that connects in-school and out-of-school learners and as result are part of the STEM learning ecosystem that connects many communities with resources. “Access to technology tools and internet access is scant, however, with the support of organisations, Coderina is providing access to ongoing learning. We are at the final stages of recruiting staff and equipping the libraries in Bauchi, Enugu and Kaduna to complete the six geopolitical zone scale-up of the project.”