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More than 120 participants in the Reading Programme for Children and Youth, "Star of the Month" winners and Library Volunteers received certificates of merit at the Hong Kong Central Library today (September 9) in recognition of their reading efforts and services to the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL).
As well as young children, more youngsters aged 13 to 19 have joined the Reading Programme for Children and Youth in the past year. It has recorded a total membership of 89,720 at date, a 25% increase from 2004/2005.
Speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony, the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Libraries and Development), Mr Lee Yuk-man said good reading ability could help children to acquire knowledge and the younger generation could enhance their language abilities with reading.
He appealed to parents not only to share the joy of reading with children, but also to encourage and provide guidance to them.
The Reading Programme for Children and Youth has been well-received in the community. Applicants aged from four to 19 can join the reading programme individually or through their schools. Children, who are four to nine years old, are encouraged to join the family category to read books with their parents.
The top 50 members aged from four to 15, who have read 1,000 to 3,000 books in the past year were awarded certificates today. Some of the members also submitted creative book reports after reading and 38 of them were awarded the "Book Report – Star of the Month".
The most actively participating schools in the Reading Programme were S.K.H. Tsing Yi Estate Ho Chak Wan Primary School, S.K.H. Lee Shiu Keung Primary School, Shek Lei Catholic Primary School (AM), Hong Kong And Macau Lutheran Church Primary School and S.K.H. Yan Laap Primary School.
To encourage more people to provide voluntary services, the HKPL has been launching the Voluntary Helpers Scheme since 1981, recruiting volunteers aged 16 with Form 4 standard or above to support the library services. A total of 41 library volunteers, who have worked for over 100 hours in the past year, were presented with a special certificate.
Enquiries about the reading programme for children and youth and library volunteers can be made on 2921 2660.
Ends/Saturday, September 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:10
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