Good books need readers!

That was the message disseminated during the 2024 Book and Reading Culture Day in Thanh Hoa , with the desire to spread the value of books to readers. Because books are the treasure trove of human knowledge, the key to success for each individual. Therefore, good books need to be "planted" in each person every day so that each person can gradually improve and develop their character and intellect.

Good books need readers! Students in Nong Cong district participated in the book reading festival.

It's not an exaggeration to say that books are the essence and wisdom of humanity. Each page of a book opens up new horizons for the reader. Reading is an indispensable need in human life. Through reading and developing reading skills, each individual builds a foundation of knowledge to best solve problems that arise in life. However, in the digital age, books and reading have gradually been overshadowed by visual and auditory culture. We easily see many people holding smartphones and browsing the internet rather than reading newspapers or books...

To ensure that books are not merely pages of paper, but truly become invaluable assets for each individual and community, on February 24, 2014, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 284/QD-TTg designating April 21st as Vietnam Book Day to encourage and develop the reading movement in the community. Following this, on November 4, 2021, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1862/QD-TTg on organizing Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, designating April 21st as Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day. Prior to that, on March 15, 2017, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 329/QD-TTg approving the Project “Promoting the development of reading culture needs in the community until 2020, with a vision to 2030”. These actions further affirm the important role and immense significance of books and reading culture for every citizen.

Besides affirming and honoring the value of books, the benefits of digital technology cannot be denied. Therefore, linking digital transformation with books and reading culture is necessary and is gradually gaining attention. A prime example is the mobile library equipped with books and newspapers to serve readers in the traditional reading format, and computers connected to the internet to serve readers in the online space, which are being brought to various localities. Along with this, publishing has been gradually shifting towards two forms: traditional books and e-books. However, for online books to attract readers and not overshadow traditional books, it is necessary to link the two publishing forms and have them interact with and complement each other.

To make books a companion for everyone and foster a reading habit and culture, in addition to innovation in books themselves, there needs to be innovation in organizing and implementing activities related to books and reading culture to change people's perceptions and actions regarding the benefits of reading. Over the years, to bring books closer to readers, the Provincial Library and the system of local libraries have regularly organized promotional activities and services for readers through book reading festivals and local cultural and political events. Reading activities are not limited to library spaces but are held in open spaces, such as schoolyards and cultural center grounds, with decorations that are friendly to readers and the environment. Through these promotional activities, librarians want people, especially young people, to understand the importance of books, particularly valuable books, and that not reading them will lead to a significant lack of knowledge and skills needed for self-improvement and success.

At the same time, the Provincial Library has intensified research and collected additional materials to meet the reading needs of the people; built many models and movements for reading books and newspapers at the grassroots level; actively circulated books and newspapers to schools, localities, prisons, etc. In addition, it has coordinated with schools and localities to build a system of grassroots libraries and organize activities to serve readers.

In response to Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day 2024, the Provincial Library collaborated with local authorities and schools to organize a book reading festival, book talks, and book donations with the aim of spreading the message "Good books need readers." This affirmed the position, role, and importance of books in enhancing knowledge, skills, developing thinking, education, and character building. Simultaneously, it encouraged and developed the reading movement in the community, fostering reading habits in families, schools, agencies, and organizations, contributing to building a learning society.

Developing a reading culture is an urgent and long-term task with profound significance for the prosperous development of the country. This is not just the responsibility of librarians, but the responsibility of the entire society. We believe that, through the activities of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2024, books and reading culture will develop more extensively in the community.

Text and photos: Thùy Linh

Source