From TCNEWS
While communities in various countries celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day on February 1, 2025, the Igbo Vanguard Group (IVG) has voiced concerns about the declining popularity of libraries.
The sociocultural organization urges parents to regard libraries not just as places for books but as crucial cultural sanctuaries for children, encouraging family visits to foster a love for reading and preserve these valuable resources for future generations.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Umuahia, Abia State capital, Engr. Dr. James Nnadozie Obadiah Uchegbuo, the President General of IVG, emphasized the need for increased book production in the Igbo language.
He called upon Southeast governors to incorporate Igbo literature and language into the school curriculum, thereby igniting cultural pride and enhancing literacy among the younger population.
Uchegbuo acknowledged the influence of the internet in diminishing library attendance, stressing that Take Your Child to the Library Day serves a pivotal role in instilling reading habits, promoting responsibility, and creating cherished family memories.
He advocated for a cultural renaissance that collectively reinvigorates the sanctity and significance of libraries in community life.
Take Your Child to the Library Day occurs annually in various libraries across the United States and Canada and aims to highlight the importance of local libraries and their programming. The event has been celebrated since its inception in 2011, originating from the initiative of Nadine Lipman, who sought to engage children and families with library resources beyond mere book borrowing.
This year’s observance comes with a renewed focus on incorporating indigenous languages into educational frameworks, as the IVG aims to connect the younger generation with their cultural heritage through literature.
The organization encourages parents to view library visits as essential family outings that promote literacy and cultural understanding.
To support this initiative, IVG encouraged local libraries to ramp up activities and workshops to attract families, including story hours and interactive reading sessions designed to engage children and foster a love for literature from a young age.
The IVG’s campaign underscores the organization’s dedication to ensuring that libraries remain vibrant contributors to societal growth and education.
As communities around the globe celebrate libraries this February, the advocacy by IVG highlights the need for a collective effort to ensure that these institutions remain relevant and vital. Parents are reminded that fostering a love for reading at a young age is an investment in their children’s future, one that pays dividends in personal and academic success.

In the spirit of Take Your Child to the Library Day, the Igbo Vanguard Group calls for reflection on our relationship with libraries, urging families to view them as essential spaces for learning, exploration, and preserving cultural identities.