Elderly people love to read.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tang, residing in Chuoi village, Le Loi commune (Gia Loc district), frequently visits the Gia Loc District Library to borrow books and newspapers.

Books are indispensable.

That's the sentiment of Mr. Nguyen Duc Tang (84 years old) from Chuoi village, Le Loi commune (Gia Loc district). Despite his advanced age, Mr. Tang spends 2-3 afternoons a week at the Gia Loc District Library borrowing books to read. He has almost read all the books in the library, and he makes sure to borrow any new book that comes out. In addition, he also buys many books and newspapers from outside sources to read. "Every day I spend a few hours reading books, newspapers, and watching the news. The information in books is different from other types of information; it helps me learn a lot of life experiences," Mr. Tang said.

Mr. Tang's love for books dates back to his childhood. When he first started school, his good grades earned him a book as a gift. He read it over and over again until he knew it by heart and often told his friends about it. From then on, he found books and newspapers interesting, offering many new things, so he frequently sought them out to read. Mr. Tang added: "Even though I'm old and my eyesight is failing, I still love to read. I have hundreds of books in my house, from ancient times to the present. To this day, I still know many works by heart, such as *The Tale of Kieu* and *The Lament of the Warrior's Wife*..."

Many elderly people in Hai Duong still maintain the habit of reading, some having developed it since childhood, while others have only recently discovered this joy. Mr. Tran Duc Cam, nearly 80 years old, residing on Nguyen Thi Due Street (Hai Duong City), said that in 2015, during a visit to a nursing home, a roommate shared information about the benefits of books and newspapers, and finding it interesting, he decided to try reading them. "Then, without realizing it, I became captivated by books and newspapers. To this day, I maintain the habit of reading daily. Each time I go to the library, I borrow 2-3 books, and after finishing one, I switch to another," Mr. Cam said.

For Mr. Nguyen The Hung, over 60 years old, residing in Hong Chau Street (Hai Duong City), he feels something is missing if he doesn't spend a few hours reading each day. Mr. Hung stated: "Reading is like eating and drinking every day; it's indispensable."

Serving life

Despite his advanced age, Mr. Dang Van Nhac, residing in La Tinh area, Tu Ky town, still maintains the habit of reading books daily.

The knowledge accumulated over many years of work and self-study has been very helpful to Mr. Dang Van Nhac in La Tinh area, Tu Ky town. Although he retired nearly 20 years ago, many communes and clans still ask him to write histories, genealogies, or couplets for their communal halls. “Writing history is different from other types of books; it must be absolutely accurate. Therefore, before starting, I have to read a lot. Combining it with knowledge from life, I can then draw accurate conclusions,” Mr. Nhac said.

Not only do these elderly people enjoy reading, but they have also spread their love of reading to many family members. Mr. Nhac said that his children and grandchildren now also enjoy reading. To foster this spirit, Mr. Nhac has his own method. On holidays, New Year's Day, birthdays, or any special event, he rewards them by giving them books and reading with them. As a result, Mr. Nhac's children and grandchildren have also achieved many successes in their work and studies.

As for Mr. Cam, since he started reading, his wife has also adopted this habit. The two of them share the task of reading each book they borrow from the library. "We read and discuss the things written in the books together," Mr. Cam said.

Ms. Le Thi Lan, a staff member at the Gia Loc District Library, said that many elderly people are now loyal readers, regularly coming to the library to borrow and read books with serious dedication. They have made the books in the library more meaningful. They also spread that love of reading to others, helping the reading movement to spread widely. "The efforts of the elderly in preserving and developing reading culture are immense, and we librarians greatly appreciate them," Ms. Lan said.

THANH HA

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