Story Papago is reaching out to children to make reading accessible.
THERE are growing concerns over the fading habit of book-reading as social media affects the traditional appreciation for books and the joy of turning pages to discover a new world.
Avid readers say that this, along with a lack of time, are among reasons people − especially the younger generation − seldom pick up a book these days.
Despite these challenges, there are groups trying to rejuvenate and grow the reading culture.
StarMetro reached out to two groups that have kick-started creative initiatives to make reading more appealing.
Founded by three friends just over a year ago, Silent Book Club JB has been providing a space and opportunity for book lovers to gather and read together, silently.
Its founders Yee Xiang Yun, Rhema Seng and Lee Wern Yiing who were formerly colleagues, organised their first silent reading session in October last year.
Children looking for books at the mobile library under the Story Papago initiative.
“Despite not working in the same office any longer, we still make time to meet up once in a while to catch up,” said Yee.
“The idea to start the Silent Book Club came about during one of these casual meet-ups, and we decided to turn thought into action.
“A few months later, we organised our first meeting in a cafe.
“We did not expect people to turn up, but surprisingly, five joined our first session,” she said.
She added that the number had now grown to about 15 per session.
Yee said that apart from wanting to give the community a space to read, the initiative was also a way for the founders to encourage themselves to read more.
“We all have different reading habits and goals. The objective is to get people to read without any pressure.
“They can read whatever reading material, in any language, through whatever medium they are comfortable with. This includes audiobooks and ebooks.
Tham giving a talk to parents, about impactful storytelling.
“We even have people bringing research papers and books to prepare for scuba-diving exams,” she said, adding that participants are not charged any fee to take part in the activity.
Since its first meeting, the group has organised one session per month in cafes and public parks, attracting people from all walks of life, including expatriates from Indonesia and the Philippines who work in Johor.
“After an hour of reading, we will have a casual chat, allowing us to get to know each other better,” said Yee, highlighting that the youngest participant is a four-year-old.
“However, those who are not keen to mingle are free to leave after the silent reading session.”
She said there are over 1,000 Silent Book Club chapters in more than 50 countries, including two in Malaysia.
“This is the first Silent Book Club in peninsular Malaysia. The only other chapter in Malaysia is in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,” she said.
Moving forward, the trio are hoping to register as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and come up with other activities to encourage reading.
The Silent Book Club JB meets in cafes or public parks where they can read in silence. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
Starting them young
Another initiative, Story Papago, has also been working towards making reading more accessible and enjoyable for children.
Tham Siew Wah, who leads the initiative which started over a decade ago, said over 5,000 children from more than 70 schools in peninsular Malaysia have benefitted from the effort so far.
“We want to get children excited about reading and for them to see it as a fun activity.
“A good way to do so is by exposing them to picture books, as such reading materials are more appealing and less intimidating for those who are just starting out.
“In doing so, we hope to spark their interest in reading books and hopefully, they will continue to read as they grow older,” she said.
Tham said the initiative included a storytelling session and access to a mobile library.
“We use picture books to conduct the storytelling sessions as well as music and movement to make the story more appealing to the children.
Silent Book Club JB participants chatting after their reading session.
“The main aim is to spark their interest. We also bring along a mobile library so they can look for books that interest them,” she said, adding that the mobile library was introduced two years ago.
Story Papago also engages with parents to guide them on storytelling techniques to make reading interesting, said Tham.
“On top of that, we also put up ‘book houses’ at some of the places that we go to.
“People can borrow any book they want from these facilities.
“However, they will need to replace each book they take with another one.”
Tham said this was an initiative under Persatuan Peminat Buku Bergambar based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
A wide variety of books read by participants of the Silent Book Club JB.
“Although we are based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, we have visited schools from all over the country, including Johor,” she said, adding that Story Papago had reached out to four schools in Kluang.
In June, state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said there had been an increase in reading among Johoreans.
He said the state public library saw more visitors since opening its doors seven days a week.
“This is a good sign as it shows that the library continues to be a place where the community to gather for activities,” he said.
The library, on Jalan Yahya Awal in Johor Baru, started operating throughout the week since December last year.
Aznan said that as of May, about six months since changing its operating hours, there had been 70,620 visitors – a 25% rise compared to the corresponding period last year.
