COVID19 Pandemic Lockdown – iRead Mobile Library intervenes for children nationwide.
iRead library has been busy with interventions throughout the Covid19 pandemic lockdown, hosting multiple virtual educational program for children across various communities and backgrounds. Over the past months, over 2000 children in Nigeria have benefited from iRead Free Virtual School tutorials and access to online library resources.
With schools resumption dates still uncertain, the mobile library with head office in Oko-Filling area (Isheri-LASU Road) of Lagos—has announced that it wants to impact more children in Alimosho Local Government Area. To do this, its staff and volunteers will visit homes in the neighbourhood so that parents can obtain library cards and borrow books for their children. Worksheets, stationery and other supporting resources will also be available.
Bridging the literacy gap
“As public libraries close their buildings to the public, iRead bridges the gap by continually serving in innovative ways. The iRead Virtual School’s director said in a statement released on Friday 24 July; “Our survey shows that despite these interventions, several children still do not have access to technological gadgets nor data to participate in the free virtual programs.”
Between April and July, according to the statement, the library recorded more than 2,300 enrollments into its Virtual School program, with classes in English, Mathematics, Science, History, SDGs, Crafts, Spellings and Leadership provided by almost 100 volunteer educators.
In the same period, iRead granted students access to its fully equipped e-library (courtesy of Tumble books), putting unlimited eBooks and streaming media at their fingertips.
Other activities managed by the library includes: iRead Weekend Book Club (for busy parents who are able to provide support for their children during weekends); iRead Stories Aloud (a program that adapts African-themed story books to be read aloud to children in English and Yoruba languages); iRead Book Day (when library officers distribute books to over 300 children who visit the library environment) and iRead Summer Camp, a virtual STEM Education program.
iRead Summer Camp
The library is adapting its usual annual in-person summer camp (for children ages 5-12) programme to an online event delivery which incorporates practical and fun activities including: reading, STEAM projects; crafts, constructions, virtual story times, virtual tours, language learning, leadership cues and more.
#iRead is committed to ensuring that children all over Nigeria have access to education and remain connected till schools reopen.
For further inquiries, partnership and sponsorship, call 08023197033, 07068150282; or email info@iread.com.ng
