GEORGE NEWS - George Libraries celebrated World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday, 7 February 2024 at different schools and cr?ches.
Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries, said this year libraries are once again teaming with Nal’ibali, the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign by reading the same story on the same day to all children in our communities. The story this year was The Lost Kitten by Stacey Fru. This story is available in eleven languages. If you go to the Nal’ibali website, you will also find stories in audio and video format.
Williams said World Read-Aloud Day is all about books and reading. It creates an awareness of reading as an enjoyable fun-filled activity that stimulates our intellectual curiosity. “It is also a day where children are exposed to new authors and stories of cultural and educational importance. This day presents the perfect opportunity to grab a book, find an audience and entertain people using reading,” she said.
The library staff visited different schools in all our areas for example Noll Primary School as well as the schools in Haarlem, Uniondale, Conville, Thembalethu, Waboomskraal, Up with Downs, Motion Academy, Heeltyd Speeltyd, Olympia, House, Outeniqua Primary and Blanco Primary Schools. Different crèches were also included in the campaign.
Why is reading important?
Williams said reading is important because it demonstrates to children that they are being cared for and it teaches them new words. It also exposes them to different experiences. She said in the case of story for the year the child learns to take care of animals. Children can also become story active because they can be encouraged to draw a picture of their favourite part of the story, or their pet. Children can also be assisted to make a list of different kinds of pets and how to take care of them.
National Library Week will be celebrated from 18 – 24 March 2024. The theme this year is Libraries Foster Social Cohesion.
The theme underscores the crucial role libraries play in uniting communities as they serve as hubs where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to exchange ideas, and to learn and engage in cultural and intellectual activities. By providing access to information, technology, resources and programmes, libraries broaden horizons, connect individuals, and foster a shared sense of purpose and identity. They also provide safe spaces for marginalised communities to address social and development issues, share experiences and thus promote social cohesion.
National Book Week will run from 5 - 11 September 2024 and the Funda Mzantsi Reading Championship will be held from 2-7 October.
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