(VLO) An Thanh is a remote commune in the district of Mo Caynam (Ben Tre), the spiritual life of the people is still difficult. In particular, there is the problem of the lack of sources of books, newspapers, magazines and materials to serve the community, which helps to improve the gradually fading reading culture.
Dang Huynh Library
An exceptional library in the heart of the countryside
In 2004, the local population – especially students – was very surprised, delighted and excited by the appearance of a private library named Dang Huynh that serves and frees readers every day of the week with a rich and practical amount of books, especially literary books. entertainment, children’s stories; Newspapers and magazines on science and technology, computer science, art, architecture, construction, agriculture,... It is the first and only private library in Ben Tre province to date.
Speaking of this special training, Thai Minh Chi - the librarian of this library - said: “The library is over 200m2, initially invested about 10,000 copies of books of all kinds with the voluntary creation of the couple Dang Thanh - Huynh Bich Ngoc.
From an early age, they both lived in a situation of deprivation and lack of learning conditions, so when they settled, they opened this library to improve the culture of reading for everyone, especially for students.
In addition to the important source of books, this private library is also equipped with 20 computers for free reading. The reading place is very airy with a complete cooling fan system; The shelves are tidy, scientific, easy to find. Free «iced tea» or mineral water are also served to readers. If you read in need, you can bring the book home for reference very comfortably.
Students are looking for documents.
17 years of raising the culture of reading in the poor countryside
We have had the opportunity to explore some models of private libraries in the Mekong Delta and this is a highlight of ongoing activities over the past 17 years with an increasing number of readers, accompanied by an increasing number of books, newspapers, magazines and documents.
On average, every normal day, Dang Huynh’s library hosts 40 to 50 readers to research and learn about books and newspapers.
On peak summer days, this number increases. This shows the appeal of a private library that quietly elevates the culture of deep rural reading.
The librarian added, “We currently have an average of over 12,000 copies. These books circulate constantly according to the real needs of the readers, where the rotation is the libraries and bookstores of Ho Chi Minh City.
In the tendency of media and social networks to develop very strongly, leading to emptiness, indifference, forgetting libraries, the culture of reading is also faced with the risk of «losing» of the readers, the presence of the Dang Huynh library in the deep countryside is still developing is very respectable and must be reproduced more in the countryside. community.
To do this, there are not only voluntary hearts dedicated to the preservation, development and improvement of the culture of reading, but also the community of responsibility of the local authorities and services concerned.
Via Bao Vinh Long