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FINDING SPACE FOR THE LIBRARY IN THE MEDIA

Ghana’s public sphere has witnessed a growing media presence which has enhanced the relay of information to the citizenry on different contents and audience over the last decade but one area that has not enjoyed the growing media plurality and presence is the library. The potential contribution of information to economic and socio cultural development has never been seriously appreciated, this has contributed to the worsening conditions of libraries, museums, archives and other related memory institutions. Little attention and support is given to these information centers and as a result, are unable to effectively perform their roles in national development. Information in this modern times is considered as the first factor of production. It is therefore imperative to discuss relevant issues that will seek to promote the activities of these important institutions to achieve their full benefits. There are very few media platforms and instances where the subject of libraries are
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DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE BALME LIBRARY INTRODUCTION  The Balme library before attaining its modern and robust state had gone through several developments under different leaderships and regimes. The establishment of the University College of the Gold Coast in the 1947 necessitated the establishment of a central library which according to the then Principal of the College, Mr. David Balme was the nerve (strength) of the college. Formally, the library was at the Achimota College occupying a single room with just about 3000 volumes of books for intermediate courses. Over a period of years, there was not enough space (room) to accommodate the growing collections and expansions. The then newly appointed Librarian Elise Walker made a plea for extra rooms and other facilities for the library and its staff. This motivated the building committee of the University College Council to plan a beautiful library with facilities for future expansion and began arrangements to allocate funds for the
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RISK IN LIBRARIES.

People employed in libraries do a wide range of automated and manual jobs. In large libraries these jobs may be assigned to one person or a group of persons. In smaller libraries the same person may do several different tasks. Library work has a number of health and safety hazards. These hazards include psychological stress, risk of slips, trips and falls, back injury, personal safety concerns, inadequate workstations, inadequate lighting, dusts, molds and poor indoor air quality.
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Be smart......

A smartphone is a mobile phone with added features that make it ‘smarter’. This means that apart from being able to make calls using the phone, you have features that a PDA or a computer can offer, like the following: It has a more elaborate and user-friendly operating systems, allowing smarter input, like with touch screens. The hardware improves the interface as well, e.g. full QWERTY keyboard, larger screen etc. Numerous applications software and productivity software can run on the smartphone , e.g. word processors, spreadsheets, organizers, mailers, browsers etc. It is equipped with enhanced multimedia features. Smartphones allow you to take and view pictures and video in many formats. A smartphone has one or two cameras. Multiple connectivity possibilities. A smartphone does not doesn’t use solely GSM to connect to the world, but also brings you the Internet through 3G , W-Fi and even Wi Max connections. A smartphone also easily connects into a LAN . Data transf
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MOTIVATING THE FRONT LINE

Evolving technology and trends toward user self-service activities have changed the library patron’s experience.  But most librarians are quick to point out that, despite these changes, libraries (and their users) still require front-line human interaction provided by circulation, or access services, employees. Front-line employees are the library’s foremost representatives: whether librarians, paraprofessionals, temporary employees or security guards, these workers are usually the first faces patrons see on entering the library and the last they see on leaving. Because of the visibility of these front line employees, it is crucial that these public ambassadors are motivated: their treatment of users determines whether the atmosphere of the library is warm and friendly, or distant and aloof. Moreover, access services employees provide services daily to users of varying ages, intellectual abilities, cultural backgrounds, ethnicity and economic status.  Thus, every effort should be
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LIBRARY ASSISTANTS IN GHANA (BALME LIBRARY)

Libraries are very useful public facilities that enable people to find a wide variety of information resources for a variety of purposes. Trained support staff is required for the effective function of libraries. Library assistants help organize resources so they are readily available to patrons What does a library assistant do . Library assistants help librarians and other staff with a variety of tasks to ensure the organization of resources.  They often work at the circulation desk registering new patrons, answering questions, and collecting and checking out books and other materials.  When someone is requesting to check out materials, library assistants scan the items and the person’s library card and stamp the due date or print out a receipt with the due date. They check returned items for damage and scan them back into the system. They also send out notices for overdue materials. Library assistants are responsible for sorting and returning them to their appropriate storage ar
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