Ghana Library signs MoU with California-based eSyllabus for Africa
The Ghana Library Authority (GLA) has signed a Memorundum of Understanding with eSyllubus for Africa, a California-based non-profit corporation to provide functional monitors, computers, software, data storage devices to the Authority’s libraries throughout Ghana free of charge.
Under the MOU, all Regional Libraries of the GLA would provide space to eSyllabus during operating business hours and advise on and cooperate with construction and maintenance requirements of eSyllabus.
The cost of all construction and maintenance would also be borne solely by eSyllabus for Africa and regional libraries will work with eSyllabus for Africa in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service to coordinate local school events in conjunction with the Library’s programs.
Mr Jonathan Tourzan, Executive Director for eSyllabus signed for his corporation while Mr O.M. Tenkorang, Acting Executive Director for Library Services signed for the GLA.
Mr Quame S. M. Zowonu, Director in charge of West Africa, eSyllabus for Africa, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that construction and maintenance would not alter significantly the original design of the library building nor obstruct normal library work.
He said the approval for any such project would be at the discretion of the Regional Librarian, acting in consultation with the Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority.
He said eSyllabus would seek copyright licensing for copyright restricted digital library material on behalf of the Ghana Library Authority.
Mr Zowonu said such licensing might include the right to distribute the said material to public schools in Ghana, or for other educational purposes and all cost for such licensing would be born solely by eSyllabus for Africa unless both parties had signed an agreement for purchase of particular content licensing.
The Ghana Library Authority would not be liable for any copyright violations emanating from such copyright licensing agreement by eSyllabus for Africa and eSyllabus would also have the right to operate programs approved by the Regional Librarians at the library using said equipment without interfering with normal library work, he said.
He said eSyllabus was already working with some tertiary and basic schools throughout the country by providing them with digital materials to enhance teaching and learning in the various schools.
“We in eSyllabus believe that when you empower students with educational materials and other resources it will help build a solid foundation for their future endeavours,” he said.
Mr Tourzan said the eSyllabus had given scholarship package to 31 students in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and 21 students from Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Northern, Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti and Eastern Regions.
He said the package for KNUST was 850 dollars per student and a full boarding scholarship for the SHS students to assist brilliant but needy students to complete their education.
He said plans are underway to institute scholarship package for female students reading medicine at KNUST and other female students into science.
Source: GNA