WHEN last did you pick up a book to read or visit the library to borrow one?
It is National Book Week, from Monday 7 September to Sunday, 13 September, so get back into the habit of reading.
The initiative is the brainchild of the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture.
According to reading statistics, only 14% of the SA population are active book readers, and a mere 5% of parents read to their children. National Book Week encourages people to value reading as a fun and pleasurable activity and to showcase how reading can easily be incorporated into one’s daily lifestyle.
It coincides with International Literacy Day which was commemorated on Tuesday, 8 September.
Library assistant at Athlone Park library, Elsie Govender has been in the ‘book business’ for the last 18 years and continues to be passionate about it.
“I encourage children and adults to read. No-one can take away what you have acquired through reading. It takes one into another world and keeps one out of mischief.”
She said reading is important as one gains knowledge of words, their meanings and overall understanding. “Reading improves one’s knowledge, making it easier for one to join in a group conversation. It also helps with simple things such as filling out forms and being able to read and understand the fine print on documents.”
With the explosion of the internet and social media, there has been a decline in library membership.
“People who live within walking distance don’t come to the library, as many have access to the internet for information. But, often when information is acquired in this manner, the researcher does not read and understand the information, but copies and pastes it. People who live kilometres away, tend to use the library more, as they don’t have access to internet facilities.”
Athlone Park library encourages reading, especially among children and regularly hosts creative writing and poetry competitions and spelling bees.
“While schools do come to the library, I advise every parent to encourage their children to get a library card.”
