Reading is the key to success, says Kuils River children’s librarian Pearl Ngobeni.
Ms Ngobeni has been a librarian for nearly two decades but says some things never change because she still sees far too many children who struggle to read.
“Not having the ability to read could create issues for a child’s future,” she said.
Ms Ngobeni has taken on a new task, called the In House Read It Forward Campaign, to get children in the community reading.
Launched on Friday, February 22, the campaign is part of the City’s library awareness reading programmes. It’s aimed at Grade 3s from various schools in Kuils River and it tries to get their parents involved.
“A parent reading with their child will create good relationships”, said Ms Ngobeni.
Twenty Grade 3s from Rouxville Primary School joined the six-month programme last Friday.
They pledged to complete the programme, read at home, get their parents involved and, lastly, enjoy reading.
Participants will be assessed at the end of the campaign in August and get attendance certificates.
The library is inviting high school pupils or young people who enjoy reading to help the younger children read.
Pupils from De Kuilen and Soneike high schools as well as the Western Cape Sports School have already volunteered to do that.
Senior librarian Wilhelmina Whitman said she hoped the campaign would keep children off the streets.
“The library is a safe place for everyone and a good space to keep our youth busy”, she said.