Reading culture

September 20, 2006

Instill reading habit from young

Recently our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged bookstores to set up reading kiosks in small towns and villages to promote a reading lifestyle among Malaysians.This is an encouraging contribution for cultivating a reading culture among Malaysians.

In fact of late the government has begun to set up libraries in the major towns which This is a commendable step. Unfortunately the smaller towns and villages are neglected. I feel all towns must be provided with well equipped libraries and the kampungs with mini-libraries or reading kiosks.

Setting up libraries and reading kiosks are not the most difficult aspects of instilling a reading culture as all we need is money to do that. Our country can well afford to spend that money on such projects.

It is unfortunate that many costly projects have become “white elephants” due to neglect and lack of commitment. We hope the National Book Policy (NBP) will not end up in a similar fate. Therefore before we embark on the building of expensive libraries; it is important to consider two important aspects in the promotion of a reading culture; a receptive mindset of the people and dedicated staff to run these places.

A great deal needs to be done to instill the habit of reading especially in schools. Most of our schools are equipped with quality libraries but the pupils are not actively encouraged to utilize them profitably. Many of them pass through school life without having borrowed or read a single book from their libraries.

Pupils must be compelled to read and their progress monitored as it used to be done earlier. Their minds must be open and receptive to contradicting ideas. Shutting our minds to alien ideas is a sure way to impede the development of the intellect and a mindset needed for development of a reading society.

Many of our public libraries are magnificently built, well furnished and fully equipped with a large collection of books and journals but they lack the dedicated workforce that is committed to the cultivation of a national reading culture among the citizens. These days we have more qualified staff but they lack interest and enthusiasm in their work unlike their predecessors.

It is true that reading seems to have taken a back seat to television, films, the Internet and other forms of entertainment, which are more exciting and easily accessible especially to the young. If we are serious to cultivate a reading culture, buildings and books are necessary but more important to have the people with passion to do that. Otherwise whatever we do will be just a waste of time and money.

Dr.Chris Anthony