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By Staff Reporter
Most people especially the youth continue to spend more time on various social media platforms rather than reading books. However, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation (ACSR) said it will launch an E-book service to help reach more people and promote a culture of reading.
The ACSR department spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said the power of books should be influenced to combat isolation, reinforce ties between people, and expand horizons while stimulating minds and creativity. Sebolecwe added that in this age of technological innovation and social media, people spend rather a lot of time chatting and updating statuses and not investing in expanding their knowledge by reading books.
“More than ever, at a time when most schools around the world are closed and people have to limit spending time outside considering the global Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical to take time to read on your own or with your children.
“It is a time to celebrate the importance of reading, foster children’s growth as readers, and promote a life-long love of literature and integration into the world of work. So, the department saw it fit to announce the Overdrive digital E-lending library (ebook),” he said.
Sebolecwe said an E-book is a text presented in a format that allows it to be read on a computer or handheld device. He said many titles that are available in printed versions can be read as E-books, including bestselling fiction, classics, and reference texts. E-books can consist simply of the electronic text or may also contain extras, such as audio, video, or hyperlinks.
“The 23 April has been identified by the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Book and Copyright Day to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. We are working together with Overdrive and we have already completed the first phase of accessing the digital collection using the Libby app.
“Libby is a free app that will allow all registered library users in the province an opportunity to borrow and read books online for a stipulated number of days on their devices. You can stream books with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere,” said Sebolecwe.
He further said all that one needs to get started is a library card. Sebolecwe said currently the North West library eBook app/ Libby app has a limited number of books and will only be able to expand its catalog in-time.
“The number of users on the app and requirements/needs of books requested will guide and influence additional material which will be added in the future. Reading statistics show that only 14% of the South African population is active book readers, and a mere 5% of parents read to their children.
Khumo Seane who is a renowned author and a teacher at Mankuroane Technical School in Taung lauded the initiative. Seane added that reading enhances one’s language and communication skills.
“Reading develops fluency and also allows people to express their thoughts and ideas better. I will encourage more people especially the youth to read more rather than spending time online chatting. So, the launch of eBook and e-lending library is an important initiative. Reading is also fun and a pleasurable activity once you get used to it,” he said.
The Guardian 