Keep libraries and the love of reading alive

The rebranded Sultan Abdul Samad library in Banting comes with modern features such as multimedia area, kids playhouse, indoor slide, seminar rooms as well as meeting rooms. — The Star

MORE online services to read digital content, holding weekly activities like reading competitions, and fun events about films based on books – such are some of the suggestions mooted to keep libraries alive and encourage more people to pick up reading in today’s society when many are glued to their smartphones and social media.

Malaysian Academic Association Congress president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail believes the reading habit among Malaysians is still wanting despite years of campaigns to promote it.

“Reading here does not equate to looking at messages on our phones or surfing the Internet for information.

“As an academician, we have to read. I always advise my students to read three to five articles a day in their respective fields so that they can analyse or use them in their research or thesis,” shares Prof Ahmad, whose expertise is in wildlife and ecotoxicology.

For the public at large, he suggests that we read a few pages a day on topics that are of interest to us.

“Such reading must have a purpose, like for entertainment by reading a storybook or learning through scientific articles, or hobby books,” he says.

While the Internet has made it so easy to access information, Prof Ahmad says libraries are still relevant for those looking for specific publications.

To further engage readers, he suggests that libraries hold activities like reading contests on the number of books read a month and awarding a reader of the month, and storytelling activities based on books.

“Perhaps such events can be a collaboration between public libraries and the private sector or individuals,” Prof Ahmad says.

He notes that it would be interesting to hold events on books that have been turned into movies, but Malaysia needs more local works to be adapted into films first.

“Book-swapping activities, where readers can exchange the books they read, can start at the local community level,” he says.

Supportive of the idea for more physical libraries, he says each district should have one as reading must start at the grassroots level.

Malaysians are now reading an average of 20 books a year, according to the National Library of Malaysia’s initial findings on a study of the reading profile in the country (see story above).

It is an increase from the average of 15 books annually in 2014.

The library’s statistics also show that fiction is the top genre of reading material borrowed last year, followed by arts and science.

To this, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim says fiction is a good start to inculcate reading habits among Malaysians.

“In terms of language, English publications can offer a wider range of topics, especially in science-related topics,” she adds.

PAGE honorary secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra points out that while Malaysia’s literacy rate is at 95%, the people may be reading more material on social media than in books.

“International benchmarking tests like the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), which tests the reading literacy of 15-year-olds, did not give a very positive outlook for Malaysia,” she says.

While Malaysia had notably better performance, we were still at the bottom of the list when compared to the 11 developed countries assessed in Pisa 2018.

She suggests that there should be intervention programmes in schools to ensure that children reach the appropriate level of reading proficiency.

Another way is to enable disadvantaged households to have free, easy access to books.

“They should be encouraged to take children’s books, and for the parents to read to their children from a young age,” she says.

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary- general Fouzi Singon says the lack of physical newspapers now adds to the lack of reading among Malaysians.

“People currently only get the information they need through the Internet and social media.

“Reading among students is only related to a certain subject for the purpose of passing their examinations only or to complete their homework,” he believes.

With information available at a tap of our smartphone today, Fouzi says it is time for more libraries to turn digital, or increase access to online content.

He also proposes for the National Library to widen its survey on Malaysia’s reading profile to schools to gain more diverse input.

“Families who visit the library regularly already have started the habit of reading. The interest in reading is a culture that is started and applied by the family.

“If this culture is practised at home and from childhood, this does not need to be forced,” he says, urging parents to also set a good example for their children.