The Bekwai Traditional Council has appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and decentralized assemblies to step up efforts to address the dwindling interest in reading and patronizing libraries amongst the youth.

The Council observed that hardly do the youth patronize community libraries in recent times, a development which had impacted negatively on their reading habits and academic standards in general.

Nana Karikari Appau, Omanhene of the Bekwai Traditional Area, said the library was a repository of knowledge as it has at its disposal a variety of books covering most fields of academic study which was relevant to the education of pupils and students.

The seemingly disinterest in patronizing the library of late, he said, was responsible for the falling standard of the English Language and other core subjects amongst students.

Nana Appau said this when he paid a working visit to the Bekwai Municipal Library at Asante-Bekwai.

The Library, stocked with about 12 computers with internet connection is the only facility serving the entire Municipality.

In spite of this, patronage for the facility had gone down considerably and affected the internally-generated funds used to maintain the library.

The facility also has some of its structures deteriorating at an alarming rate, particularly the roofing sheets, furniture and shelves, as well as the need to replace outmoded books.

Nana Appau urged the Bekwai Municipal Assembly to mobilize resources and put the library in good shape to benefit the community.

Ms Mary Boadi, the Librarian, thanked the Bekwai Traditional Council for the efforts it was making to raise the standard of education in the area and cautioned students who come to the library to take good care of the books.**