The Benin National Library (BnB) has launched an initiative to enhance library and reading services in the country. A five-day workshop was held in Porto-Novo from September 29 to October 3, 2026, for 25 professionals from various parts of Benin. The workshop focused on constructing adapted documentary collections for different audiences. The program aims to strengthen the book and reading sector, making it more structured and connected to the country's editorial production.
The workshop, supported by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), brought together librarians, library administrators, and reading center operators. They were selected through a call for applications, demonstrating their interest in evolving practices to meet users' needs effectively. The participants expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative, recognizing the need for change in the library and reading sector.
The Director-General of the BnB, Koffi ATTEDE, emphasized the significance of the workshop, highlighting that choosing a book for a library determines what a community can read, understand, and imagine. He encouraged participants to take responsibility for shaping the country's reading culture. The workshop aimed to equip professionals with the skills to build relevant documentary collections, promote Beninese literature, and serve the bibliodiversity in reading centers.
The BnB's initiative is part of a broader strategy to reposition the library as a hub for the book and reading chain in Benin. The Director-General announced plans to modernize the legal deposit, develop a national bibliography, and create a statistical platform for the book chain. The library also plans to develop a national digital library and prepare a strategic development plan for 2027-2033.
The BnB's efforts are supported by the International Organization of La Francophonie, which shares the goal of making public libraries vibrant and attractive spaces that cater to readers' needs. The organization's representative, Marie Isabelle BA, emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and practices to find concrete solutions for public reading in Benin.
The workshop provided a platform for participants to learn, exchange ideas, and acquire tools to transform their practices. The BnB aims to create a dynamic collective that will drive the development of the library and reading sector in Benin. The initiative seeks to promote the country's cultural diversity, languages, and literary production.
The BnB's new approach marks a shift from traditional library management to a more proactive and inclusive strategy. By engaging with authors, publishers, and other stakeholders, the library aims to become a hub for the book and reading chain in Benin. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the country's cultural and literary landscape.
Key points
- The Benin National Library has launched a workshop for 25 professionals to enhance library and reading services in the country.
- The initiative aims to promote Beninese literature, bibliodiversity, and a culture of reading.
- The program is supported by the International Organization of La Francophonie.
