READY, SET...READ.

2012 is the National Year of Reading. Libraries and bookstores are working hard to create events that will inspire the nation to read.

According to their site-
"Nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle."

It's a scary percentage. And a lot of people will assume that this accounts for new arrivals to Australia, people who are struggling to learn English. This is not the case.

Unfortunately there are so many cases where children have slipped through school without having this ability. Have grown into adults who 'get along'. Until they are forced to put together a resume, or fill out a form, or try to comprehend some basic instructions. We see them in the library all the time, hesitant to ask for help, but needing it.

Which is why we begin at the beginning. With mothers and babies, with toddlers, with pre-schoolers. Tinies Time and Storytimes may appear fun (and they are) but they are also an integral part of fostering the love of books and reading...and ultimately literacy.

This is our aim.

First step...a child that is used to books. That understands the magic that they hold. There is nothing like reading a story to a group of children and have them spell bound, waiting to see what happens next. If reading is associated with fun and good times (not merely forced as part of schooling) it leads to a lifetime of reading.

And it doesn't have to be novels that are read. A lot of parents will come into the library, complaining that their teenager doesn't read. But when questioned you find out that they devour magazines and graphic novels....I'm sorry but this is still reading. Encourage it, don't make the child feel that because it's not a novel that they have failed.

So as 2012 is just beginning, lets all do our part. Let's read. Then read some more.

A father came into the library this week and as his son (teenager) was borrowing a huge pile of books I laughingly said 'wow this will keep you out of trouble for a while.'
Father shook his head 'caught him reading at 2 am this morning, the little bugger. Had to yell at him to go to sleep or else.'
I smiled, said 'it's school holidays, besides that's just the sort of kids we love to see in here.'

Father still shook his head but the son smiled. He got it.

And that's what we need to promote....the joy of a book. So get out there.
READ...