Of Reading and librarians

The basis for becoming Information Literate is what is known as the three Rs. This is the foundation on which we are to construct our knowledge.
However, 'foundations' alone do not comprise the 'house'! Information Literacy gathers the momentum of this foundation and expands it to make out of each person a lifelong learner and an informed citizen.

Lately, the Eurobarometer, in one of its surveys, concluded that the Maltese people read the least. This is not news to us. Various articles appeared in the press all saying their bit on the situation.

However, I think that our system is not conducive to cultivate a 'love for books' in our children. There are various things which may be done to improve the situation and specifically the 'reading factor'.

Another factor which has contributed less to 'reading', or to the promotion of the 'book', is the great thrust which has been given to computers (locally). Whilst it is a good thing to ensure that joe-citizen has a computer, the same effort has not been invested in the creation for the 'love of the book.' Therefore, an unbalanced situation has been created. The effect: peeople or rather, a nation who reads less and less.

If the digital divide is a global issue which seems to preoccupy governments, surely it will never close up and this, for various reasons. Yet, it cannot be said the same when it comes to literacies and specifically to reading and the love for the book. There are very basic differences which enhance the book factor and make it a more promissing issue that it will succeed with a higher percentage. First, the basics are learnt at school and secondly, we have librarians.
Whether (1) we have professional librarians, (2) that all schools at all levels have librarians, (3) even whether authorities believe in this profession, (4) whether the profession is a recognised profession or not, (5) whether the librarian teaches information literacy, (6) whether the librarian storytells, all of these are unanswered questions.

Yet, what seems to be clear from this outcome, is that, the thrust in computer take-up year after year, has not produced a reading nation and the digital-divide is still present and on the increase since new technologies outcome the rate of the closing gap.

Therefore, I think that the time we are living in is a time for librarians to be counted and recognised as a profession. This will start the road to produce a reading nation and most importantly, creating a 'love for the book'.