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Do you know anything about the Book Reading Culture in Pakistan?
Do you ever work voluntarily for any organization to promote reading culture?
Are you a book reader?
According to a survey report held by Gallup and Gillani Foundation Pakistan, on 1,178 men and women in rural and urban regions of four provinces. The report findings reflect that only 9% of Pakistanis are avid readers, and 75% don’t read anything other than their textbooks. That, too, is only for the purpose of passing their tests.
Well, these stats are quite horrible that show a diminishing book reading culture in Pakistan. It seems if we would not encourage book reading, it will become a habit reserved for the elderly. Maybe we as a nation don’t know the significance of book reading, or possibly it is not conveyed properly to the generation that can arise a sense of enthusiasm for reading.
Joseph Addison’s views
Joseph Addison, a 17th-century English author, once wrote, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” So, what happens to your brain while you read? According to research, reading activates a complex network of circuits and messages in the brain. These networks get stronger and more sophisticated as your reading skill improves.
Similarly, book reading is also important for a nation to grow and excel in the world in the bigger picture. In 2011, the Compulsory Education Chinese Curriculum Standards (experiment draft) and launched by the Ministry of Education, these “specific proposals” point out that “reading is an essential way to obtain information, know the world, develop thinking and obtain aesthetic experience through language.”
They further explain that teachers’ analysis should not substitute students’ reading practice since reading is a customized behavior of pupils. “We should enable students in active thinking and emotional activities, to deepen understanding and experience, think, obtain edification and enjoy the aesthetic experience. Students’ unique feelings, experiences, and understanding should be paid attention to”. (ref scirp.org)
Promotion of Book Reading culture in Pakistan
Although, despite such awful facts and figures, some sparks prompt us for an enlighted future of book reading culture in Pakistan. Luckily, these organizations are voluntarily working to promote book reading culture in their own respective ways. Some are working at a local level and others at the national level.
The purpose of this article is to appreciate their efforts in the lie of retaliating against the falling culture of book reading. In this regard, it is quite important for the government to assist such organizations and initiate its own policies that build reading enthusiasm in the nation.
So, let’s uncover these organizations and show your support for them in achieving their objective of developing a book-reading culture in Pakistan.
Top Organizations that Work at the National Level
1. Alif Laila Book Bus Society:
Dr. Juanita Baker established our country’s first library aboard a double-decker bus in 1978, named Alif Laila Book Bus Society. The bus had English and Urdu literature heaped on both decks. The primary goal is to create a reading culture in Pakistan and facilitate Pakistan’s educational problems within the country’s socio-economic situation restrictions. ALBBS has been enchanting children with the magic of books and reading for the past 36 years.
Moreover, this organization also secured some awards for its efforts, such as NPO Certification Award by Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy and the 2006 Common Wealth Education Best Practice Award.
Some Key Highlights:
- Five creative libraries all over the country
There are now five creative libraries that cater to children of various ages.
- The Book Bus or stationed bus:
The Book Bus, often known as the stationed bus library, is reserved for children aged 8 and under. The bus has two decks: one for storytelling, where a teacher reads stories to children, and the other for book stacking. Reference Library
- Reference Library for all subjects
Another part is a Reference Library with 5000 volumes on a variety of subjects. This is open to girls of all ages and males under the age of 15.
- The Storyteller’s moveable bus
The third library, known as “Daastangou” or “The StoryTeller,” is a movable bus that serves children who are unable to access the stationed bus or reference library.
- Rickshaw Library
The Rickshaw Library has established in 2019 thanks to a gift from the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Islamabad.
- Camel Library in Pakistan
In Mand, Balochistan, the Female Education Trust opened the first Camel Library in Pakistan in 2020, thanks to a donation from Judith’s Reading Room.
- Other services
Alif Laila also conducts training for teachers and conducts seminars and advocacy campaigns to encourage youngsters to read. In addition, the Society has worked on providing instructional materials for young children. This content includes:
- Storybooks
- Books of information
- Quarterly publications
- subject packs
- Interactive educational materials
- Visual and audio creations
- Rugs and posters with educational content.
- International Board of Young People’s Book
The Pakistan chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is also hosted by ALBBS. It’s a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people dedicated to bringing books and children together from all over the world.
Contact Details:
Alif Laila Book Bus Society
3-B Gulberg II, Lahore,
042-35758395, 35761153 Fax: 35762238,
2. Kitab Dost
Kitab Dost is also a non-profit organization that promotes the book reading culture. This team, which is entirely made up of women, founded Kitab dost with the support of a few volunteer students.
Kitab Dost began in Peshawar; they operate three free schools for street children that teach over 300 youngsters and have now extended to other areas in KP and Rawalpindi.
- The objective of the Kitab Dost Project
Kitab dost’ (Friends of the Books) is a project conducted by the Association of Business, Professional & Agriculture Women (ABPAW) KP office in partnership with alumni associations (Fulbright & AusAID) and the KP Pakistan Education Department. The project aims to provide neglected children with opportunities for education and learning.
- Ujala School for street children
The effort focuses on supporting the “Ujala School” initiative for teaching street children while also encouraging school children to read by holding book reading sessions and developing free non-text book-based libraries at schools.
- Women empowerment
The Organization’s additional efforts include rural women’s skill development, raising awareness about child abuse, and environmental protection
Contact Details
3. Go Read
GoRead.pk is a countrywide, socially aware initiative devoted to reading developmentally appropriate books to children in underserved neighborhoods.
- Mission of organization
Their mission is to promote social change via joyous tale read-aloud sessions that focus on Tarbia (character development), Ehsaas (compassion), and Adab (advocacy) (literature).
- Stories books
The stories are written in Urdu, English, and the regional languages of Pakistan. According to research, enjoyable tale read-aloud sessions improve kids’ language abilities, contribute to their personal development, and help to improve children’s futures one story at a time.
- The main objective of Go read
Child protection
Gender equality
Mutual respect
Humanity
Access to appealing storybooks boosts their chances of establishing a love of reading, which is a key component of academic and non-cognitive skill development.
Moreover, stories may help youngsters develop strong character traits, emotions of nationalism and pride in their towns and cultures, and a sense of shared humanity with the rest of the world.
Contact Details
Address:
Plot 31, Sector 23,
Korangi Industrial Area,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel.: +92 303 0718343
Email: info@goread.pk
Website: Go Read
4. Read Pakistan
The overall objective is to ensure that everyone can be able to read. Moreover, it also aims to train librarians and teachers in developing reading habits and spreading knowledge in Pakistan. The purpose is to promote quality literacy instruction, advocate life-long reading, clarify educational issues for decision-makers, and support literacy research.
Read Pakistan has the world’s largest school library campaign.
Number of libraries
They built 500 libraries in Islamabad and made it the world’s first city with such a prestigious name.
Their Core Area Highlights
The world’s first discussion series dedicated to and promoting the importance of books.
- Largest youth network
The world’s largest literary youth network.
- Training programs
Training programs for teachers, parents, librarians, and school principals to help them instill a love of reading in children and turn them into lifelong readers.
Organizations or initiatives working at the Local Level:
1. Digital Kitab Khana
Digital Kitab Khana is working on two key objectives. First, to ensure free book sharing among the community, and second to promote book reading culture. They are working online by providing a web-based platform that allows users to post the books that they want to donate or share with others. These books are then listed under the category of “Take Books.” So, anyone who needs this can take it by contacting that donor.
- Free Kitab Khana
Free Kitab Khana is an interesting initiative working in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Under this, they place Little Free Kitab Khana (small bookshelf) at most visiting places that will help people to share their books easily. Secondly, they can read books easily. The purpose of this initiative is to spread awareness and support its key objectives, which are:
- To develop Free Books Sharing Habit within Community.
- And to Develop Book Reading habits.
Contact Details
Email: Digitalkitabkhana@gmail.com
Website: https://digitalkitabkhana.com/
2. Pakistan Reading Project
This project aims to work on the reading skills of early grades. It is funded through USAID and working on Taluka/Distt Matiari Sindh.
Contact Details
Tel. 0343 8056773
Facebook Page: Pakistan Reading Project
Email: hareshlalwany615@gmail.com
Website: http://www.pakreading.pk/
3. Read and Write Pakistan
Read and Write Pakistan is dedicated to encouraging and promoting the reading culture in Pakistan. They started the project “Read and Write: A Project of PLWO” after realizing the diminishing reading culture throughout the country.
Pakistan Librarians Welfare Organization (PLWO) established “Read and Write” to encourage and promote much-neglected areas of reading culture in Pakistan. The main purpose of this program is to engage more and more people in reading and writing habits to make Pakistan an intellectual place.
Contact Details
Facebook page: Read and Write Pakistan
Website: http://www.plwo.org.pk/read&writepakistan.html
Tel: 0323 4676056
Email: readandwritepak@gmail.com
4. CDA and RDA Street Libraries
Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) set up street libraries at Kohsar Market F-6 Islamabad and main Murree Road Rawalpindi. These two street libraries aim to promote book reading culture among people and to provide a small book exchange. According to them, it would exchange the love of books and reading within the community.
The project’s social feature is especially vital for folks who cannot afford to buy books or visit a library.
5. Karachi Street Libraries
Karachi is more enriched in the perspective of constructing street libraries. Some stakeholders placed street libraries at different locations. Pakistan’s first street library in Karachi is placed in Metropole Chowrangi. Another Street library was initiated by the Hyderabad Administration education with the establishment’s support. It is situated on Hyderabad’s famous cool breeze road called ‘Thandi Sadak.’
Final Thoughts
So, it was all about initiatives and organizations that are working to promote the book reading culture in Pakistan. Well, they are doing their job perfectly to contribute something positive to their country. However, now it’s your turn to support them to help expand their services to a greater audience. BE A PROUD CITIZEN and SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE WORKING TO MAKE YOUR COUNTRY PROUD.
Donate your old books instead of throwing them away to help libraries get started.
To Donate Books through Digital Kitan Khana fill out this form “Share Books,” and then share the link with your community. Those who are in need will contact you at your mentioned details. Well, if you want to take books free of cost, then go here and pick one for yourself. “Take Books“
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