Fostering a reading culture within the community.

In many residential areas throughout the province, community libraries are quietly "sowing the seeds of knowledge," fostering a love of books and spreading a reading culture among the people. More than just repositories of knowledge, these libraries have become spaces for community connection, contributing to the development of cultural life at the grassroots level.

Residents of Ngoc Tri village (Trieu Loc commune) read books at the village cultural center.

As summer arrives, the community center in Ngoc Tri village, Trieu Loc commune, becomes more lively. Not only do adults come to read books and newspapers and exchange information, but many children also visit to read and borrow stories. Some sit on the floor engrossed in history books. Elderly people leisurely browse books on health and farming techniques. This quiet space is becoming a familiar gathering place for the villagers.

The community library in Ngoc Tri village was built with contributions from residents, organizations, and children living away from home. Initially, it only contained a few dozen books in an old wooden cabinet, but now the number has grown to nearly 1,000, covering a diverse range of genres and regularly updated. Even more encouraging is the increasing number of people coming to read. Ngo Thi Thu Binh, a 5th-grade student from Ngoc Tri village, shared: “In the afternoons or on weekends, I often go to the community center to play, read stories, and borrow books to take home. I especially like books about history and culture. These books help me learn more about the history and culture of our nation and help me study better in my subjects.”

Mr. Ngo Quang Truc, Secretary and Head of Ngoc Tri Village, said: “To make the library attractive, in addition to the books being circulated, the village has mobilized books from the community and benefactors. Thanks to this, the village's book collection is quite rich with about 1,000 titles, and is regularly updated. Along with that, the village has promoted and encouraged people to read, gradually creating a positive cultural atmosphere at the community center.”

In Trieu Loc commune, 100% of the villages currently have community libraries with hundreds of books. To make these community libraries "cultural meeting points" in residential areas, the commune has promoted the movement to build a cultural life at the grassroots level and develop a reading culture in the community. At the same time, it has guided the villages to review the number of books, survey the reading needs of the people, and update the libraries at the community cultural centers.

In Nam Hac village, Hoang Chau commune, the community library has become a familiar destination for many residents every afternoon. Located right in the village's cultural center, the library currently has over 300 books in various genres such as children's books, local history, life skills, agricultural production, law, etc., serving all age groups. Every summer, the library is open regularly from late afternoon to evening. After work, many parents bring their children to read. Many residents believe that since the establishment of the community library, children in the village have had a more beneficial playground, reducing their time spent using phones and the internet.

Mr. Le Quang Thach, Secretary of the Party branch of Nam Hac village, said: "We mobilized people, organizations, and associations to contribute books and newspapers, adding many books suitable for each age group, and at the same time assigned people to manage the library so that it is always open, making it convenient for people to come and read."

According to statistics, the province currently has over 4,100 residential areas, villages, and hamlets that have established community libraries with many flexible models suitable to the actual conditions at the grassroots level. Many libraries are not simply places to store books, but have become "cultural meeting points" in residential areas. There, people have more space to study and exchange knowledge; children have a place for healthy activities during the summer instead of relying on phones and the internet.

In practice, effective libraries share common characteristics: they are built to meet the needs of the people. The book collections are regularly updated and tailored to specific target groups such as children, teenagers, and the elderly; the reading spaces are convenient and accessible to the public. Simultaneously, the supportive role of local authorities is also crucial in maintaining the effectiveness of these libraries. In parallel, the Provincial Library regularly collaborates with local authorities to rotate books; provides guidance and support to library and library staff on how to arrange, organize, and manage libraries; and organizes reading activities.

In modern life, with its many forms of entertainment and timely sources of information, community libraries in residential areas quietly maintain a unique role. They are not only repositories of knowledge but also contribute to building a reading culture within the community, fostering a learning society from the grassroots level. Therefore, maintaining and effectively utilizing community libraries is not simply about adding new books; it requires the constant attention of local authorities, the cooperation of organizations and associations, and the people themselves, so that these reading spaces continue to thrive, nurturing reading habits in every family and every residential area.

Text and photos: Thùy Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khoi-day-van-hoa-doc-tu-cong-dong-289530.htm