Children’s Reading Activities at the Thimphu Public Library

Duration: September 2006 – February 2007

Responsible Institution/Organisation/Association/Others: Friends of the Library (FoL)

Amount (in local currency):            100,000

 

 

Aim and Objectives

Justification

Implementation

Monitoring

 

 

1.   Aim and Objectives:

The objectives of the project are to:

  • Revive and nurture interests in reading among young children;

  • Revive interest in learning through reading;

  • Enhance the acquisition of knowledge through reading related activities; and

  • Create public awareness about the public library in the capital and its existing facilities.

2.   Justification:

The culture of reading in Bhutan is weak, probably because for a long time, Bhutan was a largely oral society with literacy confined to a small segment of the society (the clergy and the elite). Additionally, a media impact study in 2003 highlighted the trend of children reading even less since the introduction of television in 1999. In 2005, a group of volunteers formed the “Friends of the Library” (FoL) programme to encourage children and parents to utilize the public library as a start towards reviving interests in reading. To this end, the FoL together with the public library staff and other volunteers began several activities that have resulted in a dramatic increase in interests of children and parents. One of them was the “Magic Box” method of storytelling, which has created the biggest attraction and was introduced by a Japanese member of the FoL. The stories using this method have been confined to stories from Japan and other cultures because of the lack of illustrations accompanying popular Bhutanese stories. The FoL members would select and write Bhutanese stories on a voluntary basis. The Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu (VAST) is an association of artists that seek to nurture the creativity of Bhutanese youth. VAST would illustrate the children’s stories through providing an opportunity to young artists associated with them. The FoL is in need of financial resources for materials for the illustrations, fees for the artists and reproduction.

3.  Implementation:

 

The FoL members and VAST would implement the project. Helvetas/SDC Coordination Office would release 50% of the committed amount upon signing of this document, and the remaining 50% in the beginning of 2007.

 

4.   Monitoring:

 

Helvetas/SDC Coordination Office would monitor the project. In addition, the FoL would provide a final project report together with expense sheets to the Helvetas/SDC Coordination Office within three months of the completion of the project.