Two years ago a new public library opened in my city, Kumasi in Ghana. It's in the centre, close to the main market, on the site of an old car park, and it's a modern three-storey building with a lot of glass and a roof garden.
The official opening was on a Saturday morning in March. The mayor gave a speech, a school choir sang, and there was a traditional drumming group at the entrance. What I remember most is that after the speeches, the doors simply opened and hundreds of children rushed inside. There were storytelling sessions all day and free library cards for anyone who signed up. I went with my niece, who was eight, and we registered together, which felt oddly ceremonial for something so simple.
In my view it has changed city life in a few quiet but important ways. Before, students had nowhere calm to study; most homes are crowded and noisy, and internet cafes cost money. Now the study rooms are full every afternoon, especially before exams. The library also offers free computer classes for older people, and my aunt has learned to use video calls there to speak to her son in London. It has become a cool, safe place to spend time during the hottest part of the day, too. The one problem is that it closes at six, which is too early for people who work. Still, I think it has shown that public money spent on education and shared spaces really pays off, and people in other districts are now asking for one of their own.