On a weekday afternoon, at the public reception room of the commune's People's Committee headquarters, besides citizens conducting administrative procedures, the small corner where the community bookshelf is located also welcomes several groups of students and adults. The children excitedly choose comic books, their eyes wide with fascination as they read through the colorful pages. A few farmers slowly flip through books on livestock farming techniques, reading and exchanging experiences. This atmosphere makes anyone who visits feel the joy and sense of community here.
Gently arranging the books neatly in the bookshelf, Mr. Giang A Ho from Xa Nhu village shared: "Since having the bookshelf, I often come here to read or borrow books to take home for more in-depth study. I often read books about animal husbandry and disease prevention. There are many new and very useful yet simple disease prevention techniques. Thanks to applying these new techniques, my family's 7 buffaloes and cows, 5 pigs, and nearly 200 chickens are always healthy and grow quickly. My family's income from livestock farming is much more stable than before."
Just like adults, the dreams of many students in the commune are nurtured by the simple pages of books in the community library. Many have discovered a passion for learning, become more confident in communication, and learned to set goals for their future.
Mua Thi Sua, from Ta Cao village, excitedly shared: "Reading books has taught me many new things. I especially love books about the customs of Vietnamese ethnic groups and stories about scientists . I dream of becoming a teacher someday to teach other children to love reading." The dreams and passion for learning of the children in Ta Xi Lang become even more meaningful in the context of the difficult living conditions in the highlands, where access to modern knowledge from the internet is limited. Therefore, the community library has become an important bridge meeting the learning needs and exploration of the wider world for both children and adults.
Amidst the peaceful life of the highlands, knowledge acts as a silent bridge, leading the people here to new opportunities. Especially in communes like Ta Xi Lang, where over 97% of the population are ethnic Mong people, and where remote areas and limited educational resources make community libraries even more crucial. Based on this need, in 2024, the Provincial Library donated hundreds of books and equipment to establish a community library in Ta Xi Lang commune.
Since then, the library has become a familiar place for many people. Approximately 400 carefully selected books are available, ranging from educational materials for students to books on agriculture , animal husbandry, and farming, as well as books recording ethnic customs and culture, and legal regulations. Every year, all the books are rotated with other local libraries, ensuring people always have access to new knowledge, avoiding boredom, and fostering a regular reading habit.
In addition, to maximize the effectiveness of the community library, the commune also focuses on encouraging people to maintain a reading habit. Cultural officials regularly provide guidance on appropriate reading skills and methods for each age group; they also aim to cultivate healthy reading tastes and ignite a passion for learning.
According to Mùa A Sử, a specialist from the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Tà Xi Láng commune: The library contributes to improving people's knowledge and supporting the government in its propaganda and mobilization efforts. Contents on preventing child marriage, preserving good customs and traditions, and new economic models are all very practical for mountainous areas like Tà Xi Láng. Many households have boldly applied the knowledge from the books to their production, and their lives have seen significant improvements.
It is evident that the community library in Ta Xi Lang commune has become a "bridge" of knowledge, instilling confidence and motivation in the people of this remote area. These small books have been, and continue to be, paving the way for change, helping people confidently rise up, legitimately enrich themselves, and preserve their cultural identity right in their homeland.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/cau-noi-tri-thuc-o-ta-xi-lang-post883006.html
