Tema, Feb. 3, GNA - A total of 2880 adults and children's books were borrowed from the Tema Metropolitan Library in 2009 by registered members. The books comprised 2,103 adult and 777 children's books. Mr Winfred Monu, Metropolitan Librarian made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Tuesday. Mr Monu said books borrowed the adults covered all fields including the Sciences, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Sociology and Philosophy. The children's books were made up of all subjects, including 408 novels, while textbooks on Social Sciences and English Language, received the highest patronage.

He stated that a total of 295 children and 54 adults were registered as members in 2009, adding that 152 of the children were males. Mr Monu said the adults registered also consisted of 31 males and 23 females. He explained that registering as a library member, enabled users of the library to borrow books home. Touching on the books stock of the library, the Librarian revealed that the facility has a total of 4,283 adults' books, consisting of 3,507 subject books, and 776 novels.

A total of 5,891 children's books made up of 3,283 novels and 2,680 subject books were in stock at the library, he said. Mr Monu said the figure reflected books supplied by the Ghana Library Board and not those donated by individuals and organisations. The Tema library has a sitting capacity of 250, which attracts high patronage, during examination periods. He noted that apart from screening film shows for schools in the metropolis, his outfit also organised a series of story hour programmes to arouse children's interest in reading.

He added that the programme, also served as a platform for the children to interact with each other, as well as develop public speaking skills from childhood. Mr Monu called on corporate organisations, to help fence the building against the activities of drug peddlers and other criminals.