The document discusses the library consultant's work from 2009 to 2010 at Greensprings School in Lagos, Nigeria, where they were tasked with developing the existing libraries at two campuses and establishing an International Baccalaureate library at the Lekki campus over the course of 12 weeks. The consultant provided training to library staff, developed policies and procedures, and helped connect the library resources between the two campuses.

1. Library consultant: Greensprings School,
Lagos, Nigeria , 2009 – 2010
Brief: in a 12 week contract develop
existing libraries at Anthony and Lekki
campuses. Establish an International
Baccalaureate library at Lekki campus

3. Driver
Isiah

4.  Population in dispute, 15.5 million or ? See
wikipedia
 People: 12 main tribes and languages (240
officially), predominantly Yoruba
 Religions: most common- Christian/Catholic,
Muslim, tribal variations and juju
 Politics: anything goes coups, militarism, wars
and an attempt at belated democracy….
 Weather: November-February, hamatton season-
cool dry winds average temps 30’s upwards,
humidity high
 Famous musician Fela Kuti, songs of justice and
and freedom

7. Greeting the day at 5am to
 A cackling cacophony: turkeys belonging to
chef neighbour
 Muslim prayer call floating across the jungle
 Christian singing and prayer behind the wall,
female minister and her husband

10.  Original site, school role 1200 pupils, pre-
school Montessori to Year 12
 Librarians: 1 manager, 1 teacher, 3 library
assistants

11.  New site 2006: school role 1200 pupils pre-
school Montessori to Year 12, senior boarding
facilities
 Library: 1 teacher, 1 librarian, 2 library
assistants – Joseph, Phillip, Elijah, Esiwo

12.  Then: Library = class visits to borrow a book
 Now: Staff training, job descriptions
 Inquiry learning, link curriculum, class topics
 Web 2 tools
 Library handbook
 Mission statement, library plan and policies
 Search star catalogue
 Library webpage, campus link between Lekki
& Anthony

13. Planning December 2009
Established January 2010

14.  Language: understanding pidgin, Yoruba
 Communication: clarity/comprehension in
instructions- yes ma, no ma, you the boss ma-
translates, I really don’t understand, but mustn’t
lose face
 Juju at school and in the community
 Sourcing resources with limited web connection
 Conversions: US dollars, British pounds, Nigerian
niara for library resources
 Humidity in IB library

16.  Student/staff appreciation of developments and
a new IB library linked to the outside world
 Outstanding IT department
 Great English departments
 Xmas show at Anthony

18.  People – hard to leave new friends
 Markets
 Tailors – dressmakers
 Hairdressers who love to add ‘expression’
 Badagry slave post
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic
/48405/Badagry

19. Well of madness
Point of no return

22.  Road blocks where police check your credentials
and search your vehicle for human heads
 Travelling: providing a bribe picnic basket of beer,
food and small change (hiding cash and valuables)
 Driving to distant cities and encountering
stickmen intent on kidnapping, ransom or theft
and murder
 Avoiding village Oru (pacifying the spirits after
villagers deaths) – anyone seen out after dark will
disappear

23. Village children
playing Oru

25. Carpe diem
Go today!