Community library opens in Kampar

Nolee Ashilin took the opportunity to read a book to some children at the Kampar Community Library during its launch.

THE first-ever community library in Kampar has been set up to encourage the habit of reading among the people there.

Launched by State Executive Councillor Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi last Sunday, the Kampar Community Library was set up by a coalition of 25 non-governmental organisations from Perak and Yayasan Pendidikan Perak.

The library, which is managed by Yayasan Pendidikan Kampar, has over 1,000 books contributed by various NGOs and the public.

The facility has a reading room, which can accommodate up to 30 people at any one time, and a hall that can be used to conduct seminars, talks and other educational activities.

Yayasan Pendidikan Perak chairman Datin Normah Hanum said the team from the foundation has been actively conducting talks and seminars in Kampar for years to improve education in the area, especially for primary school pupils.

“A building was available so we decided to moved in to expand our activities there.

“I hope more volunteers can come and conduct lectures and talks to help cultivate the habit of reading among the local community,” she said.

“According to research, Malaysian in general read only two books a year compared to Europeans who read 30 books a year.

“Reading helps people to improve their knowledge and critical thinking and analytical skills,” she added.

Nolee Ashilin (right) presenting a certificate of appreciation to Normah during the launch of the Kampar Community Library. With them is Kohijau-iCycle chairman Dr Richard Ng.

Normah said the library will be managed under a social-business concept.

“The membership for the library is free, but a nominal fee will be charged for those who use the services there.

“A café will also be set up later and the money generated will be used to pay wages and utilities,” he said.

Chairman of the NGO coalition Dr Richard Ng said library users will also be registered for the Kohijau-iCycle recycling programme.

“Each user will be given an e-card which will also allow them to participate in the recycling reward-point system to accumulate points by bringing their recyclables and dropping them into the recycling bin at the centre.

“They can then redeem their accumulated points for cash, coupons to purchase goods from Tesco or AEON, or to donate to charity,” he said.

“Yayasan Pendidikan Kampar will receive 30% of the total collection to be used to fund their projects,” he added.

During the launch, Nolee Ashilin pledged to help provide a total of 29 Kohijau-iCycle bins to be installed in Kampar to help residents to embrace recycling and help reduce rubbish from going to the landfills.

It is also to provide a sense of responsibility to the people to be responsible to the environment and help reduce global warming.

Those who wish to contribute used books to the library can do so by packing the books and dropping them into any of the 60 Kohijau-iCycyle bins located throughout Perak.

For more information, visit www.icycle-global.com.