Family libraries spread reading culture in rural areas.

In modern life, with the increasing development of digital technology , many people have inadvertently neglected the habit of reading. However, in many rural areas, a library model is being quietly maintained and spread – the family library, a space for preserving knowledge, fostering a spirit of learning, and safeguarding family traditions.

The outdoor space is reserved by the Nguyen Dinh family in Chau Ha village, Mai Phu commune, for their children and local residents to read and chat.

Over eight years ago, when the Nguyen Dinh family in Chau Ha village, Mai Phu commune, began rebuilding their ancestral temple, the elders and descendants decided to dedicate a space to build a library. Currently, in addition to the area used for storing books and newspapers, the family has also arranged a reading and conversation space for not only family members but also villagers.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tinh, a descendant of the Nguyen Dinh family and the person responsible for managing the family library, said: "The book collection was built with contributions from the family's descendants, some providing financial support, others donating books. To date, the family library has more than 3,000 books serving the descendants and people in the village."

Every day, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tinh diligently rearranges the bookshelves to serve his descendants and the local community.

While the Nguyen Dinh family's library in Chau Ha village, Mai Phu commune, was established during the period when the whole country was implementing the Government 's decision on developing reading culture in the community, the "Old Khang's Library" in Tan Trung village, Hong Loc commune, was formed before the August 1945 Revolution.

Descendants of the family and many local people still often come to read books at the late Khang's family home in Hong Loc commune.

For many years, the family's courtyard has served as a reading spot for students in the late afternoons or on weekends. While not open regularly due to busy schedules, the family readily opens the doors whenever they have time or someone needs books, catering to the reading needs of their family members and local residents.

Nguyen Ho Ngoc Chi, a student from Tan Loc Primary School, shared: “I often come here to read books after school or on weekends. I find many interesting things from the pages of the books here.”

Cultivating a reading habit is extremely meaningful for students.

Throughout various historical periods, including times when the library was destroyed by war and floods, the descendants of the Nguyen family, specifically the Khang branch in Hong Loc commune, have continued to maintain the "Khang family library" with a tradition of valuing education. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, a descendant of the family, said: "Maintaining the family library not only aims to create a cultural beauty for our homeland, but also encourages our children and grandchildren to diligently read to cultivate knowledge and build a reading culture right in our own homes."

During its development, Ha Tinh province has seen the emergence of several community library models, such as the Hoa Cuong Library run by teacher Nguyen Quang Cuong and his wife; the Phan Huy family library; and the libraries of Professor Nguyen Chuong Thau and Doan Tu Hoan, which have maintained operations for many years. Through these libraries, many organizations and individuals have supported the family libraries with books and newspapers to contribute to the development of their hometowns, transforming them into "livable rural areas."

Acknowledging the role of family libraries in promoting a reading culture in the locality, Mr. Le Viet Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hong Loc commune, said: "We highly appreciate families with libraries that promote the cultural traditions of their lineage. In our area, the reading movement among the people not only builds a reading culture but also contributes to the new rural development movement in the locality, creating beautiful features of the countryside in the current period."

Family libraries – not noisy, not modern, but they are places that ignite the flame of knowledge from the depths of the Vietnamese soul. From simple villages, this model quietly sows the seeds of knowledge, morality, and love for homeland and family, which then blossom in the hearts of future generations.

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