Delft Library uses gaming to promote reading

Published on

By Smile Staff Reporter


Add Smile FM on Google

 

A new initiative to get more children, in Delft, to read is proving to be fruitful.

 

The Delft Public Library’s manager, Ashley Lewis has decided to offer video gaming to children…however there’s a catch. They have to sign up as library members, and complete their school homework before they get to do so.

 

 

And…the initiative has proven to be successful, as about 30 to 40 children are lining up, daily, for a chance to get their hands on the XBOX and PlayStation consoles.

 

gaming console
Image by Lizell Persens

The area is synonymous with high levels of crime and gangsterism. Lewis says the idea is to get more children off the streets.

 

“Our literacy level in the country is low. If you look at children who are in secondary school, they can’t even read. How do they matriculate? How many of them go through colleges? If we can start with this, at this young age, how many lives are we changing?” says Lewis.

 

He says the aim is to find news ways of unlocking a child’s potential.

 

“If I can get them off the streets, and into the library, an education space then I can get their minds to open up. (I want) to break that cycle, where they idolise the wrong people. Instead of idolising a gang leader, idolise Nelson Mandela. Idolise Mahatma Ghandi. Idolise Martin Luther-King, and see what they have done for their communities.”

 

reading
Image by Lizell Persens

The City of Cape Town‘s Community Services and Health mayco member, Patricia Van Der Ross says she hopes more libraries will adopt the same initiative.

 

“No child in this universe wants to just be left strolling outside, or be left to their own accord. Children want to be guided. If you have that heartbeat, and that passion, this is one way of getting that.”

 

Delft resident, Andrea Smith says getting more children into libraries, and encouraging reading will only lead to a brighter future for them. She says without reading, they won’t be able to excel.
World Read Aloud day was observed at the start of this month.
Furthermore, Smith says it’s essential for children to develop a love for books.
“It feeds their brains, and it helps them with their school work. They will then be able to understand things better.”
In addition, her eight-year-old daughter Emily enjoys visiting her local library and choosing her favourite novels.
“It’s very enjoyable to read. Children should learn how to read. It’s very important, because it will enable you to become more smarter.”

 

The buzzing library is already looking at new ways of attracting even more folk, including methods of providing learning resources to adults.

READ MORE: DBE today kicks off two-day Early Grade Reading Research Indaba

 

 

Smile Staff Reporter
Smile Staff Reporter

Latest articles

Previous article
R8 million budget for SONA 2023
Next article
SONA 2023 to be loadshedding-free

Busy city pedestrian routes turn into an open-air gallery

Smile Staff Reporter -
   One of Cape Town's busiest pedestrian routes turns into an open-air gallery. Every weekday, approximately 30,000 pedestrians walk several surveyed routes in Cape Town,...

Things every South African needs to know about having a will

Smile Staff Reporter -
 There are many things South Africans need to know about having a will. So says Mariska Redelinghuys, the Employee Benefits and Fiduciary Specialist at...

OPINION: Annual two-pot withdrawals could cost an employee R1 million at retirement

Smile Staff Reporter -
Annual two-pot withdrawals could cost an employee R1 million at retirement. R399 600 now, or R1.01 million more later. That's the choice facing employees...