Reading for life

October, the National Reading Month:

by Indeewara Thilakarathne

Reading is, perhaps, the first concrete step towards an informated society. It is the process that sets gamut of other important cognitive processes in motion; including those of leaning, gathering and dissemination of information and one's ability to express oneself in both public and private capacities.

However, in a broader perspective reading can also mean any form of interaction. Listening to radio, watching television and even browsing internet can be considered as some means of reading. It is basically the interaction between written materials and readers.

Apart from broadening one's perception and the world view, reading will tremendously improve one's power of expression and effectiveness in communication.

In recognition of the pivotal role that reading plays in society, the National Library and Documentation Services Board together with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs declared the month of October as the Reading Month since 2004.

According to the Director General and CEO National Library and Documentation Services Board, M.S.U. Amerasiri, over the last years, publishing industry in Sri Lanka has been substantially expanded producing large number of authors in three languages (Sinhala, Tamil and English).

He attributes the phenomenal increase in publications and publishers to the technological advancements in the industry as well as to the increase in reading public.

'The advancements in printing technology have made a printing an easy task and over the years Sri Lanka has produced a large number of authors. It has also been observed that the reading public has been increased,' he said.

However, the habit of reading among school children has been declining as they are examination-oriented. Children's spare time is spent on watching television and playing video games rather than engaging in meaningful reading.

This year's theme 'Reading and Development' focuses on the important role reading plays in the development process. Reading plays a vital role in dissemination and receiving information particularly in technical know-how in almost all spheres of human activities.

From the academic to the farmer in the field, reading is an essential aid in updating knowledge and to keeping in touch with the latest developments in diverse fields. It is reading which facilitates the flow of information.

In order to build an information society and informed public, it is essential that the habit of reading should be inculcated in children and introduced to them with high quality literature.

To mark the month, a series of programmes including Poster Competitions ( at national and provincial levels), Short story competition for school children (Sinhala/Tamil), Essay competitions, District level seminars and membership drive for libraries were launched.

One of the significant aspects of the 'Reading Month' is the presentation of National Awards for institutions and organisations contributed to promoting reading and development of library service in Sri Lanka. National Awards were presented to the Sri Lanka Library Association, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association, Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka National Book Development Council and National Institute of Library and Information Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

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