COMMUNAL READING AS A WAY TO FOSTER A READING CULTURE
The One Book One Library Project at the University of Johannesburg
Overview
Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life." ~Helen Exley
Reading and literacy in South Africa
Reading culture in South Africa The One Book communal reading
movement The One Book One Library project
at the University of Johannesburg History of UJ Student profile Results of the project
Literacy and reading in South Africa
Reading maketh a
full man.-Essays (1625) by Francis Bacon
Adult literacy rate = 88% Grade 4 and 5 learners last in
PIRLS study Impact of multilingualism Not enough attention to reading
for enjoyment in schools The DoE National Reading
Strategy Includes encouraging reading for
enjoyment
Reading culture in South Africa
Take up and read, take up and read!.
- Confessions (397) by Saint Augustine
Outcomes of survey of reading habits of adult South Africans (South African Book Development Council, 2007) Prefer to read newspapers and
magazines Read for knowledge, not leisure
Majority of the South African population are infrequent readers
Impact of owning books
When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.- Desiderius Erasmus
Evans et al: Family scholarly culture and educational success: books and schooling in 27 nations (including South Africa)
More than 500 books in the home gives a child a big advantage
Mean number of leisure books in South African households = 8
Median = 32 More than half of South Africa’s
households have no books
Role of libraries
The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.- Abraham Lincoln
Access to books through libraries Only 8% of schools have a functional
library Community (public) libraries trying to
bridge the gap Academic libraries focus on curriculum
related reading Reading circles study groups and
book clubs Jozi Book Fair
http://www.jozibookfair.org.za/
The One Book communal reading movement
Initiated by Nancy Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book, Seattle Public Library, 1998
Read the same book at the same time
Activities related to theme Involve author ALA Manual http://www.ala.org/publicprograms
The One Book One Library Project at University of Johannesburg
It is wonderful that even today, with all the competition of radio, television, films and records, the book has kept its precious character. A book is somehow precious.- John Steinbeck
“A final challenge: How do we get students to read books and not merely surf the internet? How do we get them to read wider than prescribed books? There is a world out there waiting to be discovered”.
One Book One Library to promote reading for pleasure and involve all campus libraries
UJ is a Comprehensive University
… an institution that bring diverse kinds of learning programmes , from vocational to professional and general formative, under one roof.
Gibbon, 2004:42
Born out of the merger of three very different institutions
One of six ‘comprehensive’ universities in South Africa
50% of all students are first generation at university
Low level of reading and writing skills
Do not buy textbooks, let alone books for recreational reading
How to…
I cannot live without books
- Thomas Jefferson
Used ALA Manual “Planning your Community Wide Read” http://www.ala.org/publicprograms
Committee with campus library reps
Nominated titles – involved Department of English
Committee did final selection
Selection criteria
A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.
- Frederick Douglass
Good literature and easy to read (language should be understandable for wide audience)
Have a strong message South African author Theme should be of interest
to a diverse audience Fiction or non-fiction
And we read…
2009 – Three-letter Plague by Jonny SteinbergA groundbreaking work of reportage about pride and shame, sex and death, Three-letter Plague sheds new light on the place the African AIDS pandemic has come to occupy
2010 – Black Diamond by Zakes MdaThe concept of achieving black diamond status is well known in post apartheid South Africa and in this satirical work the author tackles this and every other conceivable South African stereotype, skillfully (and with the lightest touch) turning them upside down and exposing their ironies.
Both award winning South African authors
Reading process
Jonny Steinberg
Zakes Mda
Two to three months reading period Book displays in campus libraries Reading guides Arrange for interaction with author
Steinberg - Blog with the author Mda - Facebook group (83 members) and visit to lead
discussion groups. http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=117806414916578#!/group.php?gid=117806414916578&v=wall
Discussion groups in all campus libraries
Invite people who have read the book by sms/email
The Facebook Group
Sorry for the belated thank you to all at UJ who made my visit such a resounding success. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed interacting with your brilliant students, and everyone else. Zakes Mda 22 Sept 2010
Participation
Number of copies- 177 Reading period – 2
months Number or readers- 442 Discussion groups – 88
Book intimidating – 326 pages
HIV/AIDS= emotional topic
Author could not visit
Number of copies -211 Reading period – 3
months Number of readers – 932 Discussion groups – 278
Book inviting - 207 pages
Topic more light hearted
Visit from immensely popular author
2009 Three-letter Plague 2010 Black Diamond
As it happened…
2009
2010
Wow,wow is all i can say.it was a great honour meeting him guys what a down to earth person. Pinky Sithole on the Facebook Group
Budget
This will never be a civilized country until we expend more money for books than we do for chewing gum. ~Elbert Hubbard
Can get started on small budget R40 000 – R60 000
Buying copies of the selected title the greatest cost Sell copies of selected books afterwards
Marketing costs Author visit
Partners important. Faculty of Humanities helped finance the Mda visit
UJ will be seeking donors for 2011 We will design a logo for the project
Is it worth it?
It has increased my knowledge tremendously. I can never have the same attitude I used to have on HIV. Incredible (Female, undergraduate student, 2009).
It cleared up some stereotypes that I had about South African culture. This is a truly South African story (Female undergraduate student, 2010)
Get to know students better
Makes library visible Staff enjoy the project It does impact on readers
but it is a long term project