Community Reading Corner
Community Reading Corner is a reader development initiative of the National Library of Malaysia, supported and coordinated by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak. Physically, it is a room or part of a room or part of a hall, equipped with bookshelves, reading materials, a reading place and fans. It is to be used as a self-service information resource centre by the community where it is set up. This is a one-off project that does not require an annual operation and maintenance budget from the National Library of Malaysia or Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
In 2009, Community Reading Corners have been set up and commissioned in places like Kampung Ensengei Iban, Kampung Sageng Ulu and Kampung Sual where library and information services are minimal. Another three units were commissioned in 2017 in Kampung Temiang, Kampung Ensengei Melayu, Kampung Bijurey Mongag.
Objectives
The main objectives of this initiative are:
- to alleviate the information literacy deficiency among the rural dwellers; and
- to reduce the information literacy gap between the rural and urban communities
Roles and Responsibilities
Three main parties are involve in the planning and implementation of this program or project:
- National Library of Malaysia or Pustaka Negeri Sarawak as a project sponsor
- Pustaka Negeri Sarawak as a project implementer/coordinator and promote reader development programmes such as literacy skill classes, Born To Read, Reading Carnival etc.
- The community will be the provision and maintenance of the venue for the Community Reading Corner and daily operations of the Community of the Reading Corner
Components
Each community reading corner is equipped with
- Book collection
- Bookshelves
- Carpets
- Stools
- Standing fans
- Internet hotspots
Processes
The workflow for the planning, implementation and commissioning of the Community Reading Corner program involves four processes:
- Feasibility study - exploring the potential site to determine the suitability in terms of users, locality, land ownership
- Requirement study - determining and planning the space and equipment requirements
- Implementation - Procurement, delivery and installation of components at the site
- Commissioning - Testing and handing-over of project
