Bookworms float on cloud nine after getting new reads
Randburg Library had fun giving away books to bookworms during World Read Aloud Day.
Bookworms’ hearts were filled with gratitude after receiving exciting new reads during the World Read Aloud Day celebration at Dainfern Square. The event was hosted by Randburg Library and was a huge success.
Senior librarian, Matete Lesele said this was an important day to celebrate because promoting and instilling a reading culture is what they live for.
“People associate reading with physical books even though books are also available electronically. We thought it would be a great idea to come and give away free books to old and potential new users of the city’s libraries. We also registered new users, on our website www.cojelearning.org.za, so they could borrow books for free at their nearest library.”
He said they chose to host the event at the shopping centre because they wanted to reach as many people as possible within the community.
“We are aware that some people who live in Fourways work in the Randburg CBD, and we wanted to let them know about our services and encourage them to read. We had more than 100 books to give away which we did.
“People got a free book if they were already members of city libraries and if they could verify this by producing their membership card. If they were not a member, then we registered them for free and gave them a free book of their choice. Some also shared with us what their favourite books and why they love them. It was an insightful experience.”
“Under fiction, we had titles such as Seven Sisters, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Last Day, and Honest Illusions. Under non-fiction, we had titles such as, By Any Means, Co-dependency Trap, The Consolation of Maps, The Pearl that Broke Its Shell, The Phoenix Project, and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. We had more non-fiction books than fiction because the demographic information suggested.”
He said this is an event that takes place annually.
“We celebrate every year, though it was our first time celebrating it at Dainfern Square. We previously celebrated Library Week, which is a week in March where we celebrate libraries and the role they play in the community, at Randburg Square. We also gave away more than 100 books at that event.
Seeing teenagers gathering to receive free books was a full-circle moment for Lesele.
“That was unexpected. Also, there were more women taking books than men. That was a huge highlight for me. We are already planning an African Month event, together with the square. All I can say is that it will be epic so expect that to be happening.”
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