Students from Dich Vong B Primary School in Cau Giay District could have a place to spend their free time during the Summer vacation. It's a public bookshelf that is set up in a residential area nearby.  

Cultural model

The bookshelf in Quan Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District is part of the "Residential Children's Bookshelves" project launched at the end of 2022 by the Hanoi Youth Union, which aims to provide reading places for children and develop a passion for reading.

So far, about 30 bookshelves (libraries) have been opened under the project.

The one in Quan Hoa Ward where Nguyen Phuong Linh lives has more than 200 books.

"The small library is within walking distance from my house, so I can read books every day. The book titles are diverse," Linh said.

The bookshelf aims to motivate local children in learning and reading. Photos: Hanoimoi

Hoang Van Suong, Deputy Secretary of the Cau Giay Youth Union, said that this is the 10th bookshelf in the district for children. He hoped that the bookshelf would inspire local children to love books and learn.

Two similar models have also been set up by the Tay Ho District Youth Union with more than 5,000 books in Thuy Khue and Phu Thuong wards.

Benefiting from the model, Nguyen Thanh Huong in Thuy Khue Ward said: "There is a spacious library where I live and it has become a good place for children to visit every day."

Meanwhile, the Youth Union in Ngu Hiep Commune, Thanh Tri District has completed the "E-Green Library" project with 600 books in many fields, including audiobooks.

In the coming time, the electronic bookshelf model will be implemented in residential areas.

According to a program by the Hanoi Youth Union, many children's bookshelves will be built citywide. Each bookshelf in a residential area facilitates reading habits and stimulates creativity among children.

Fostering love for books

In addition to setting up children's bookshelves in residential areas, all levels of the Hanoi Youth Union have also launched activities to promote reading culture, such as organizing a children's reading day and calling for book donations.

Students read books in a residential library.

These activities have provided the children with useful knowledge and skills, said Dao Duc Viet, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union.

"As reading books helps improve knowledge and skills, building children's bookshelves in residential areas is always our concern," Viet said.

He added that the public library also provides an effective entertainment space for children, especially in this era of smart device abuse. Children are gradually becoming lazy when it comes to reading books, but are too engrossed in games and social networks.

Bringing children to the library is to help them discover a new world, and escape from the world in cyberspace with many risks.

Nguyen Quynh Hoa in Tay Ho District, a mother of two, said reading is useful and she would ask her children to read books regularly.

"Building libraries in residential areas is a great idea because my children can avoid excessive use of electronic devices. When they go to the library to read, they also meet friends who share the same passion," Hoa said.