Library programme encourages reading

Reading: it’s a skill that forms a base for many of the activities that enrich our lives. And this summer–as News Five’s Jacqueline Woods found out–nobody does it better than the library.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The Interactive Reading Programme targets children like Confidence Austin, who are between the ages of five and fourteen years old. Nine year old Confidence may have been shy about appearing on camera, but he did no hesitate to talk about one of his favourite places he loves to visit.

Jacqueline Woods
“So Confidence, tell me, just how long have you been coming to the Leo Bradley Library?”

Confidence Austin
“For two years.”

Jacqueline Woods
“Did someone bring you to the library?”

Confidence Austin
“Yes.”

Jacqueline Woods
“Who? Who brought you to the library??

Confidence Austin
“My father.”

Jacqueline Woods
?And what do you like about the library?”

Confidence Austin
“The books. I learn how to read from the books.”

Jacqueline Woods
“So for a couple of years, you?ve been coming to the library, reading the books, why is it so important for children your age to read?”

Confidence Austin
“Because they will be successful in life.”

Jacqueline Woods
“Do you find that reading as well helps you with other subjects in school?”

Confidence Austin
“Yes.”

Jacqueline Woods
“And what books do you like to read??

Confidence Austin
“Cartoon books and other books that I can learn from.?

Jacqueline Woods
?And what this book you have here, what is it about, chimpanzees?”

Confidence Austin
“Yes.”

Jacqueline Woods
“Okay you want to read the first page for me?”

(Confidence reading)

As young Confidence read all about chimpanzees, the other children were busy going through the pages of their favourite books. But the library programme involves more than just reading.

Raymond Bradley, Library Assistant
“On the first day we will have them doing the parts of the books. We will introduce to them the title, the spine, different parts of a book. The second day they will come in and we?ll ask them to tell their own story to us. The third day they will be doing the binding of a book, they?ll create their own books. And the fourth day, they will in turn write a story in that book that they have made… The whole thing here is just to get kids to come in and read because we realise that reading plays a vital part in our life.”

(Confidence reading)

Jacqueline Woods
“Confidence, I noticed that you use your fingers to guide you, why is that so important?”

Confidence Austin
“So I won’t make any mistakes or go off on the wrong lines.”

Jacqueline Woods
“Very good.”

It is not too late to get your child involved in the programme. It runs from ten to noon for two weeks every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All you need to do is drop your little ones off at the Leo Bradley Library on Princess Margaret Drive and have them register at the front desk. It’s free of cost. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.