How has the reading culture changed in Pakistan over the period of time? The reading culture has certainly been declining in our society, which is an indication that we are heading towards sheer ignorance and devastation. The fact that public libraries have become a rare and unusual sight proves that people aren’t as interested in reading as their parents and grandparents were back in the ’50s and ’60s. Gone are the days when people would enthusiastically discuss English and Urdu literature in get-togethers, youngsters would get excited about studying oriental languages and the booksellers would organise book fairs. It happens all because the general public is not inclined towards reading any more. It’s high time that Generation Y starts reading to improve their minds and the intellectual level. There’s a hoarding at main Sharea Faisal motivating passers-by to read with their children at least 15 minutes a day and it’s so true. How can librarians help in reviving the reading spirit in the younger generation? Librarians can only encourage young people to read, however, parents and teachers can inculcate this habit since childhood. They can recommend students to visit libraries frequently and the librarians can help them explore all the relevant books. Nevertheless, organising activities like book clubs, book launches, book sales, book donations, library membership incentives and children’s book corners can indeed divert our youth’s attention from technology to intriguing reading materials. How are e-books affecting the reading habit and how many libraries are providing them? E-books have undoubtedly made perusal easier. Earlier, one had to purchase or issue books, but e-books have revolutionised the whole idea with their free, downloadable and viewer-friendly formats. People can access a vast range of free literature within a few seconds and save it to study at convenient times. This is another reason why people are visiting libraries lesser every day. The state-of-the-art libraries of a number of higher education institutions are providing e-books. How can librarians inspire students to think and engage in literature that is not necessarily fiction? The most effective way is to help students browse through the literature of their choice. Every student doesn’t want to read a novel. Many are interested in skimming latest research papers, journals, newsletters of different organisations and magazines. They should be kept at an easily accessible place. Encyclopaedias, atlases, books in foreign languages, DVDs and documentaries should be issued to the students regularly and teachers can help them think and reflect over the text. Libraries offer a wide range of books but it’s upon the librarians to create awareness amongst the students and teachers of the extensive literature that’s available. How can librarians think creatively to provide essential texts to students and educators besides traditional reading? Librarians can consider organising thematic book seminars in their institutions.

Themes can be either based on curriculum topics, on widely discussed issues in the community or on the matters that concern the youngsters most like health, sports and careers. They can invite guest speakers and can contribute essential reading materials and presentations to the library, stimulating students to borrow related books. Students can also write reviews and recommendations of the books (non-fiction and fiction) they have recently scanned and publish them in the institute’s newsletter to generate curiosity amongst their peers. Social media can immensely support in creating awareness about the contemporary texts available in libraries.n —Marium Naeem Khan