Reading among learners has declined says librarian at Randgate Library
The librarian at Randgate Library speaks about the importance of keeping reading alive.
The Randfontein Herald visited the Randgate Library to evaluate the statistics of reading comprehension.
Stephina Teffu has been working as a librarian for more than 20 years and started at the Randgate Library in 2016 where she gathered statistics on reading comprehension in youth.
According to Stephina’s statistics, in February this year, around 200 adults borrowed books from the library while only 90 children borrowed books. Stephina added that the majority of adults interested in reading were pensioners while the majority of children with an appetitive for reading were toddlers. She further mentioned that non-fiction is the most popular genre for Grade Four.
Stephina stated she is concerned that grade fours are more dependent on technology instead of reading hard-copy books.
“I believe that grade fours are reading fewer books due to technological advances. It is clear that the number of learners reading has declined,” Stephina stated.
She added that the Randgate Library plans to do an outreach programme by spreading awareness about the importance of reading and emphasised that libraries are important seeing as it provides information and reading skills for the youth.
The Randgate Library is open every Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. The library can be contacted on 011 412 1363.
