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Books
have
long
been
the
lifeblood
of
learning.
Some
decades
ago,
the
only
places
you
could
have
limitless
access
to
books,
was
the
libraries.
But
you
can’t
say
same
for
the
world
of
today.
As
the
world
embraces
digitalization,
books
have
metamorphosed
from
hard
covers
to
soft
screens,
from
physical
shelves
to
digital
realm.
How
does
this
revolution
affect
our
traditional
libraries
and
how
does
this
impact
our
reading
lifestyle?
I
journeyed
to
some
community
libraries
in
Accra
expectant
to
meet
empty
seats
and
deserted
buildings.
The
narration
I
envisaged
prior
to
my
visit
was
completely
different.
I
was
pleasantly
surprised
to
see
an
encouraging
number
of
patrons.
The
librarians
on
duty
tell
me
the
increased
patronage
is
due
to
a
myriad
of
factors.
“The
library
has
experienced
a
lot
of
patronage
for
the
past
years.
Back
in
the
days,
people
just
come
to
the
library
to
borrow
books.
We
have
the
braille
materials
so
there
are
times
that
the
blind
or
the
partially
impaired
are
able
to
come
in
to
use
these
as
well.
We
have
the
magnifying
device,
when
you
have
issues
with
your
visuals,
you
can
come
and
use
it.”
Jacobson
Kudjo
described.
Kudjo
“We
have
people
who
come
to
the
library
to
learn,
and
others
just
come
to
relax.
We
have
a
date
tree
that
people
travel
from
far
and
near
just
to
come
and
see,
we
also
have
a
theatre
too.”
Ayisha
Afagachie
expressed.
Afagachie
For
some
students
they
appreciate
the
flexibility
of
these
smart
libraries
which
positively
affect
their
academic
work.
“I
really
like
this
library
a
lot
because
it
has
very
beautiful
facilities
and
I
feel
very
relaxed
and
comfortable.
When
I’m
at
the
library,
I
get
supervised
and
get
all
the
required
help
from
the
librarians
unlike
learning
at
home.”
A
student
explained.
“I
like
coming
to
the
library
to
read
a
lot
because
immediately
I
take
my
phone
to
make
any
research,
I
get
notifications
from
WhatsApp,
TikTok
and
Instagram
which
distracts
me
a
lot.
The
best
thing
for
me
is
to
come
to
the
library.”
The
Chief
Executive
Officer
of
Ghana
Library
Authority,
Hayford
Siaw
revealed
their
continued
efforts
to
transform
libraries
with
increased
technology
integration
and
enhanced
furnishings.
Siaw
“Over
the
years,
the
work
has
been
to
establish,
equip,
maintain
and
manage
public
libraries
in
Ghana.
We’ve
recognized
the
influence
of
technology
and
for
that
reason
the
Library
Authority
has
not
just
relied
on
the
traditional
services
of
having
static
libraries
for
people
to
be
able
to
come
in
and
read.
We’ve
moved
to
also
connect
Ghanaian
citizens
to
knowledge
through
the
digital
systems
and
so
we
currently
have
a
digital
library
App
that
you
can
download
from
play
store
and
Appstore
and
read.”
Concerned
about
the
growing
prevalence
of
digital
device
usage
and
its
effects,
Dr.
Wilhelmina
Anita
Wirrom,
an
optometrist
at
the
37
Military
Teaching
Hospital
addressed
the
direct
health
impacts
stemming
from
this
issue.
Wilhelmina
Anita
Wirrom
“When
we
take
patients
on
a
scale
of
1-10,
we
have
about
4
to
6
people
coming
in
with
issues
of
screen
time.
We
have
the
age-related
macular
diseases.
So,
when
we
take
the
human
eye,
the
macular
is
part
of
the
retina
and
that
is
the
place
that
optimum
vision
is
achieved,
and
that
place
has
compounds
that
protect
it
at
the
macular
side.
These
compounds
absorb
the
blue
light
from
our
screens
to
the
human
eye.
So,
when
you
expose
this
place
to
a
certain
usage
of
screen
devises
with,
it
turns
to
degenerate
them.
We
always
acknowledge
that
people
go
in
for
protectives
and
sometimes
we
recommend
supplements.
Research
is
showing
that
long
term
screen
time
amongst
kids
is
increasing
myopia
in
kids
and
stigmatism,”
he
said.
Despite
what
appears
to
be
a
surge
in
the
number
of
people
who
read
on
electronic
devices,
libraries
are
also
changing
their
approach.
It
is
an
undisputable
fact
that
the
integration
of
technology
has
transformed
libraries,
gradually
shifting
them
towards
a
new
paradigm
that
better
serves
the
evolving
needs
of
users.
That
notwithstanding,
precautionary
measures
must
be
taken
to
protect
one’s
health.