Empty Shelves: A Look at the Redundancy of the Faculty of Arts Library and the Dwindling Efficiencies of Departmental Libraries

Agnes Oyedokun

Libraries, located at the heart of academia where knowledge and ideas grow, serve as testaments to the power of information. Yet, within the Faculty of Arts, a paradox unfolds. Despite the impressive architecture of the Faculty of Arts Library, characterized by soaring ceilings and a beautiful structure, the lack of books, a fundamental element for any genuine library, casts a negative image upon it. This stark contrast to the vibrant, well-stocked departmental libraries like the Classics Library and Linguistics Library paints a concerning picture, raising questions about resource allocation, academic priorities, and the true meaning of a library in the digital age. In light of this comparison, it is important to consider whether the Faculty Arts Library currently serves the intended function or is merely a remnant of the past.

The Faculty Arts Library’s open-door policy and large reading areas, which provide students with a peaceful environment for study and contemplation, may be the library’s only strengths. When one considers the primary function of a library, which is to make knowledge accessible, the argument is weak, the library shrinks to a glorified study hall without books, a shadow of its former glory. The stark difference between the Faculty Arts Library and its departmental counterparts like Classics and Linguistics highlights this point further. These departmental libraries are not just “study halls” but they are repositories of books.

It has become noticeable that this vibrancy in other libraries is still absent in the Faculty library after its re-opening last session. The lack of books creates a sterile atmosphere devoid of the intellectual stimulation inherent in a true library. Students, deprived of the opportunity to browse shelves, serendipitously discover new texts, or engage with physical copies, are left with an incomplete learning experience.

In response to this, Mr. Abomoge Solomon, the librarian overseeing the library, inferred that it is the University’s responsibility to provide books for the shelves. However, he expressed a significant concern about the shelves’ fragility, explaining that they cannot support many books. He mentioned writing a letter to address this issue which has hindered them from placing the limited available books on the shelves.

Addressing this issue, The Public Relations Officer of the Faculty of Arts, Omotosho Temitayo, asserts that the responsibility for managing the library lies with the faculty management.

“The faculty library is not a part of our initiative so we have not really had any conversation about it. Concerning the books, the faculty management said that they will send a letter to each department to donate books to the faculty library. I spoke with the librarian and he mentioned that some of the shelves are not steady enough to hold books.”

Furthermore, the redundancy of the Faculty of Arts library raises questions about resource allocation. In an era of shrinking budgets and increasing demands, maintaining an underutilized space while neglecting departmental libraries with demonstrably higher usage seems illogical and unsustainable.

The solution, however, does not lie in simply shutting down the Faculty of Arts library. Instead, a reimagination of its purpose and function is necessary. This could involve partnering with departments to give out books relevant to their disciplines, transforming the space into a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The library could also be equipped with computers, providing access to online databases, e-books, and digital learning tools, complementing the physical resources available in departmental libraries. 

By adopting this solution, or other creative solutions, the Faculty of Arts Library can shed its redundancy and become a valuable asset to the academic community. It is crucial to remember that libraries are not merely physical structures, they are living repositories of knowledge, and their true value lies in the active engagement they foster between learners and the resources they offer.

Also, despite the impressive physical resources in departmental libraries that attract numerous students, each library has its drawbacks. For instance, the Linguistics department boasts of solar inverters, while others have substantial book collections. 

Students, like Bello Grace***,  a student and librarian who frequents the Linguistics Departmental library, pointed out the issues faced this session. One concern she raised is the absence of cleaners, affecting the library’s cleanliness.

“The library is like a nest. There are cobwebs. The tiles are dirty, yet it seems the cleaners are less observant of the issues we face. The Chief librarian spoke with one of the cleaners who claimed it is not their responsibility to clean the library. Right now, it seems there’s intention to pay these cleaners. I don’t think this is how it should work. It only shows that the cleaners fail to be responsible for their duty. I wonder if we will continue paying each semester. What if there is a lack of funds? Are we to keep reading in a dirty and non-conducive environment?”

However, students of the Classics Department proudly highlight their well-equipped library, featuring books on Classical Literature, History, Philosophy, Culture, Religion, and Theology. This library, managed by an elected student responsible to the head Librarian, operates extensively each day. In contrast, students of the English Department lament their limited space and restricted access to books. It has become routine for them to encounter locked shelves, preventing them from reading. Despite persistent efforts through letters and pleas to address the issue, no resolution has been implemented thus far.

In conclusion, the current state of the Faculty of Arts library serves as a stark reminder that tradition is not an excuse for stagnation. In a rapidly evolving academic landscape, libraries must adapt and innovate to remain relevant. By moving beyond the hollow shell of its current existence, the Faculty of Arts library can become a true centre of learning, enriching the academic experience for students. Also, it is imperative to address the challenges encountered by students using their departmental libraries to enhance library access and improve reading comprehension.