Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
National Library tries varying methods to encourage reading
The century-old library currently has 450,000 books in its inventory
– wants children to return to fundamentals
Reading was once a favourite pastime for many among us, but with the advent of the internet, television, other advanced technologies and a 24-hour news cycle, the fundamental hobby seems to have taken a nosedive in terms of priority.
Nevertheless, all may not be lost, as the country’s premier book-lending institution is looking at ways to encourage, reinvigorate and refocus those who may have been distracted, particularly children and young adults.
Gillian Thompson, Chief Librarian of the National Library, describes reading as “the best medium to gain knowledge”, and is looking at varying ways to boost membership of the institution.
The century-old library currently has 450,000 books in its inventory and, according to Thompson, the entity is finding resourceful ways of promoting reading. Programmes such as remedial reading, storytelling and workshops are being offered at convenient times of the year, and there is a reading club for juveniles and young adults. These readers are tutored by volunteer students from Grade ‘A’ Secondary Schools and are also given the opportunity to interact with Guyanese authors.
The Chief Librarian informed that the Ministry of Education has given responsibility to the administration of the library to employ teachers to aid with the programmes offered.
A source of some concern has been the lack of new adult registrants for membership over the last few years. To boost this area, Thompson explained that workshops are being structured for adult readers, who will be guided by their full complement of staff, including voluntary and trained retired teachers
Thompson recounted that a few years ago, a shift system had to be implemented because of the large numbers flocking the facility, mainly secondary school children, but this has changed significantly, as the accessing of information for projects, etc., has become a lot less dependent on books, given the mind-boggling possibilities of the World Wide Web.
Merle James, who has been with the institution for over a decade, and is the coordinator of workshops for the juvenile department, opined that children need to read more. She stressed that the decline in the numbers of readers is dismal and can negatively affect the country’s educational drive.
According to James, juvenile membership has definitely not been what it should be. She revealed that the percentage has fallen significantly, and this is confirmed on an annual basis by an evaluation.
The coordinator noted that in 2009, only 683 new members were registered in the juvenile department of the library, despite there being other branches located in Linden, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Bagotsville and North Ruimveldt.
James pointed out that the figures in relation to primary school students have been encouraging.
She added that there are workshops being held annually for children between the ages 7 and 11. Programmes such as Mathematics, Science, Spanish, and Craft are also offered.
The Guyana National Library celebrated its 100th anniversary last year with the introduction of reading-readiness activities, such as debates, essay-short story writing and quiz competitions which were well supported by the public. An adult reader competition will be added to the list.
The institution has decided to make these activities a part of its annual anniversary celebrations to attract new members.
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