Rashidah (fourth right) leading the participants and others in cutting the cake for the anniversary of the ‘Tower of Books Reading Challenge’.
MIRI: Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri feted those who took part in last year’s ‘Tower of Books Reading Challenge’ on Thursday night.
The appreciation ceremony was held at the library and attended by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s chief executive officer Rashidah Haji Bolhassan and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri’s regional manager Salina Zawawi.
The ‘Tower of Books Reading Challenge’ started in 2013 with 232 entries and 15 participants completing the challenge of reading at least one book each month.
For the challenge in 2014, the number increased tremendously to 1,824 entries – a marked increase of 87% – with 98 participants successfully completing the challenge.
Single mother Noraziah Yusof was the top reader who read a total of 56 books last year. The 25-year-old housewife was also the top reader for the challenge in 2013 when she read a total of 28 books. This year, she hopes to read 100 books. The youngest participants for last year’s challenge are siblings Ruthann Liew Zi Ann, 5, and Isaac Liew Ler Shen, 8, from Marudi, Baram.
SMK Marudi, Baram emerged as the organization with the most participants in the challenge with 87 students.
The main objective of the programme is to instil the love of reading in the community regardless of age, location and background.
The challenge is divided into four categories – Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School and Adult. The top 15 participants for each category who succeed in completing the challenge of reading at least one book per month will be recognized and presented with a certificate of participation as well as tokens of appreciation.
Apart from the ‘Tower of Books Reading Challenge’, the library also recognizes active readers on a monthly basis. This recognition is for Pustaka’s registered members who borrow the most books each month. A maximum of five members are recognised each month.
The ‘Tower of Books Reading Challenge’ continues this year and anyone can participate by completing entry forms with details and synopsis of the books read. The form is downloadable at the library’s website at www.pustaka-sarawak.com.
Those who are interested to learn more about these programmes may call 085-422 525 (Ahmad Samsudin, Lilian Baun Pulo).