CDNLAO Newsletter
No. 77, July 2013
Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Result of National Reading Survey
- 3. Libraries and Reading for All
- 4. The Methods to Achieve Reading for All
- 4.1 Continue to organize reading promotion activities
- 4.2 Extend the coverage of the libraries and build systematic public reading services
- 4.3 Build digital resources and guide the Internet Reading
- 4.4 Carry out reading promotion in families and communities, with special focus on the juveniles
- 4.5 Discuss the possibilities to have university libraries to open to the public
- 5. Conclusions
1. Introduction
Reading is important because it enriches people in all aspects. The more we read the more informed we are. It's the means to upgrade ourselves constantly. Reading helps us keep abreast of the times. Reading paves the way to education and self-enlightenment. Children who are introduced to reading at an early age are seen to have a better understanding of phonics. They acquire language skills with ease, have a richer vocabulary and possess greater cognitive abilities. Reading helps develop creative and critical thinking skills. It develops vocabulary, sharpens language skills and leads to greater cognitive development.
2. The Result of National Reading Survey
The National Reading Survey has been conducted by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication for 10 times. The 10th survey started in September 2012, with questionnaires for different age groups (0-8, 9-13, 14-17, 18-70). The samples of survey covered 48 cities all over China. The parts of the results1 which were issued in April 2013 are listed as follows:
- In 2012, the reading rate of books for people aged 18-70 rose while the overall reading rate decreased 1.3% (from 77.60% to 76.30%) compared to that of 2011.
The Comparison of the reading rate of different kinds of materials
in 2012 and 2011
*Digital Reading refers to the reading activities through Internet, mobile phones, Handheld Readers, CD-ROMs, etc.
- In 2012, the reading rate of newspapers and periodicals decreased while that of books and e-books rose.
The number of different kinds of materials one read on average
thoughout the year 2012
- In 2012, people spent more time on reading traditional print materials. Among new media, time length for mobile reading increased a lot while that spent on Internet and Handheld Readers decreased.
- In 2012, more people preferred reading e-books, and the reading rate of e-newspapers and e-journals decreased.
- In 2012, more people preferred to surf the Internet though mobile phones. About 55.6% of people aged 18-70 use Internet. Among these people, 29.2% of them use mobile phones to surf the Internet.
- 93.7 % of those using digital reading methods are aged below 49, and print materials are still accepted by more than 70% people.
- More than half of them think they were lacking reading, and 69.2% of them suggest more reading activities can be organized.
- The reading rate for those aged 0-17 decreased from 78.6% in 2011 to 77% in 2012.
The Changes of reading habits and reading preferences
With the development of technologies, the reading habits and reading methods are changed. More and more readers accept e-publications and digital publications which will take a larger percentage in the overall publications. A study commissioned by the British Library projects that, by the year 2020, 40% of UK research monographs will be available in electronic format only, while a further 50% will be produced in both print and digital. A mere 10% of new titles will be available in print alone by 2020. For UK serials, 76% will be available in electronic format only, a further 20% will be produced in both print and digital, but a mere 4% of titles will be available in print alone by 2020.2
3. Libraries and Reading for All
Libraries are an important part of the public cultural service, which has abundant resources. With the increasing investment from the governments, the public libraries entered into a fast developing period. The library buildings are improved and the library collections are increased greatly. According to the Chinese Libraries Year Book 2010, the total collections of the public libraries in China are about 590,000,000 items/volumes3. This guaranteed the reading services for the general public with aim of “Reading for All”.
In China, public libraries play an important role in the reading promotion. Since 2013, the Library Society of China has been in charge of organizing activities of “Reading Month for All” (December of every year). Under the society, a committee was set to do reading research and provide reading guide for the public in 2006. In April every year, the National Library of China (NLC) as well as public libraries in China organizes reading promotion activities to celebrate the “World Book and Copyright Day”, which is also called “World Reading Day” in China.
The activities of celebration 2012 organized by the NLC includes “exchange used books with others”, “Wenjin Reading Salon”, “7th Wenjin Book Award”, etc. In April 2012, the Capital Libraries Alliance organized the activity “Exchange Used Books with Others”, sponsored by the NLC, Capital Library and other District Public Libraries in Beijing. The citizens can hand in their used boos and then get an exchange coupon. It is noted that the books should be without apparent damages. Besides, the many publishing houses are also invited to support this activity with a large amount of free new books. With the coupon, the citizens can attend the exchange market and get the same number of books as the coupon indicates. After this activity, for those which were not exchanged out, the Capital Libraries Alliance would authorize the NGOs to donate to those places in need.
In April 23, 2013, in order to celebrate the Day, the NLC held the activity of “Book China: Reading Makes Life Better-Excellent Books Recommendations” and publicize the book list of the 8th Wenjin Book Award winners. Wenjin Book Award winners are recommended by the NLC and other 46 libraries all over China, which is the first award organized by libraries for books. 10 books won the award and other 58 are specially recommended.
< NLC Websites for Activities to Celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day >
4. The Methods to Achieve Reading for All
4.1 Continue to organize reading promotion activities
The libraries should regard reading promotion as one of its functions, but not to just organize some activities for celebrations.
4.2 Extend the coverage of the libraries and build systematic public reading services
In past years, the large libraries (provincial and municipal) experienced a fast development period. However, the community libraries still remain weak. Even in Beijing, there are some communities where there are no libraries or the quite limited library services are available. It is suggested that a service system including “Municipal Libraries-Community Libraries-Mobile Libraries” should be established.
4.3 Build digital resources and guide the Internet Reading
According to the 31th “Survey Report of Internet in China” which are issued by China Internet Network Information Center in January 15, 2013, by the end of the year 2012, the population of Internet has reached 564,000,000, which means the Internet covered 42.1% of the whole population, with an increase of 3.8% compared to that of the year 2011. With the development of Internet, it is found that online reading based on the Internet Technologies is becoming more popular. The reason why people prefer this reading platform is that it is interactive, with large amount of resources and easy to access.
4.4 Carry out reading promotion in families and communities, with special focus on the juveniles
A research conducted in Germany concluded that if a person has no reading habits and passion for reading before 13-15 years old, it would be difficult for him/her to find the fun of reading in the later life. So it is very important to arouse their interests of the juveniles at an early age. In May 2010, the Children’s Library of the NLC opened to the public and its target customers are those aged 6-15. It provides 120 seats and more than 22,000 volumes of books.
< Website of the Children’s Library of the NLC >
The Children’s Library organized a lot of activities on reading promotion every year. It can be divided into following categories:
Wenjin Children’s Forum
Every year, the Children’s Library invites some famous writers, educators and experts to give lectures for the juveniles. For example, in March 2013, Ms. Ambelin Kwaymulina, a famous Australian writer was invited to give lectures on picture books with aim to increase the interests of the juveniles to read them.
Story Telling on Weeks
The Children’s library organizes various Story Telling on weekends, in order to strengthen their reading interests. Some Juvenile Reading Promoters are invited for this activity.
National Digital Library for Children
With the resources of the NLC, National Digital Library for Children provides an online reading platform for juveniles. Its digital resources have reached 10 TB. The services are designed according to the features of the children, with 8 parts: Book Search, Guide for Juveniles, Online Reading, Online Lectures and Exhibitions, Online Class, I love animations, talent show and navigations.
4.5 Discuss the possibilities to have university libraries to open to the public
It is a trend to have universities to open to the public. Almost all the university libraries are open to the public in United States of America. In some countries in Europe, some university libraries have two identities, university library and public library. But in China, most of the universities libraries are only open to the students of its own.
In recent year, the numbers and collections of the university libraries have increased a lot, and they are capable to open to the public. According to the Chinese Libraries Year Book 2010, there are 2689 university (college) libraries in China, of which the number almost evens that of the public libraries (above the county level). If they can fully open to the public, they will provide more reading materials and cover the shortage of other kinds of libraries.
5. Conclusions
Library plays an important role in the reading promotion campaign, and the national libraries should take the lead. In order to build a “reading for all” social environment, the libraries should consider changes of the public’s reading habits in the digital age, and make adjustments to their services accordingly.
1 http://cips.chinapublish.com.cn/yjsdt/201304/t20130419_140027.html
2 Conference of Directors of National Libraries, E-LEGAL DEPOSIT ADVOCACY PACK
3 Chinese Libraries Year Book 2010
Copyright (C) 2013 National Library of China
