Some of the pupils reading in the mobile library.
KOTA KINABALU: A mobile library featuring children’s fiction and other genres is among the highlights of the ongoing Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) held throughout this month.
The expedition, which made its pit stop in Kunak (part of Lahad Datu constituency), saw many students, especially, heading to the mobile library to read their favourite cartoon-featured books.
Librarian Muhammad Said Maarop, 57, who was among the earliest staff members to be involved in managing the mobile library, said this modified van is driven to different schools according to a schedule.
“Currently, we visit a total of 24 schools on rotation. The schools include SK Sentosa in Kinabatangan up to SK Lok Buani in Tungku, some three hours drive from Lahad Datu,” he said when met at the launch of the KMJG and Sahabat Maritim X Borneo Food Fest in Kunak, Thursday (Aug 14).
He especially remembers one particular boy named Rosli, who would always catch the mobile library van and even request specific types of books he liked to read whenever the van stopped by his school.
Muhammad has been a librarian for 20 years.
“This boy usually comes to me to ask about books whenever I’m on duty, and the last time we met was about a few years back when he became a teacher,” said Muhammad, who has been serving for 20 years.
He said mobile libraries serve as an essential tool to encourage and preserve a culture of reading among students.
He said in schools where there are no libraries or a lack of technological advancement, the mobile library serves as a bridge towards the outside world.
It opens up a whole new world to children when they read and learn about things, whether fictional or not, from books, Muhammad said.
He believes that it is essential to keep the spirit of reading alive, despite the fact that children today are increasingly exposed to digital information and technology.
He said the function of mobile libraries also extends beyond instilling a love for reading, as it connects the community with libraries and brings people together.
In Lahad Datu, mobile library services began in 1997 and have since attracted around 500 members from local schools.
Speaking about the KMJG expedition, Muhammad said this is a great initiative to create awareness on the National and Sabah Day events in the state.
He said many rural folks are unaware of such programmes and are less likely to be involved directly in such events.
“So KMJG brings the National and Sabah Day celebrations to these people here, away from the city,” he said.
This year’s National Day theme is ‘Malaysia Madani, Rakyat Disantuni.
The KMJG, which officially kick-started on Aug 1, involves 20 government and private agencies, coordinating 75 checkpoints across a total of 2500km statewide.
