KOROR (Palau Horizon) – In an effort to promote literacy in Palau, the Palau Public Library (PPL), in collaboration with Palau Community College (PCC) LS instructor and students and individual volunteers, has launched a series of programs to attract people to visit the library and use its resources.
According to Mary Arius, PLL librarian, there is so much information that is available at or can be accessed from the Public Library, yet so much of the resources have sat idle.
“I believe that people should be able to read or use the Internet to get information they need,” Arius said.“There so much information and entertainment that has been left untapped because many do not have the skills to access them.”
Arius said that PPL is putting together programs that specifically aim to get people to read more and to be able to use computers to get information they need.
PPL hosted a 3 day read aloud and computer literacy sessions last week for children and people interested to learn how to use computers.
Arius said that the sessions were a success as many children actively participated in the read aloud sessions.In addition, a number of high school students and adults participated in the computer literacy sessions – inclusive of keyboarding.
“I am very grateful for the volunteers who read for the students and the Keizy Shiro for conducting the computer literacy sessions,” Arius said.“I am sure that everyone who participated in the read aloud and computer literacy sessions learned something useful.”
Arius said that since earlier this year she and PCC LS instructors and students and Ministry of Education specialists – reading and computer specialists – have been bouncing ideas on how to promote reading and literacy; and how to entice people to utilize the resources in the library.
Arius further added, “so far, people have shown great interest in the programs we have implemented.”
Moreover, Arius said that she hopes to extend the duration of the programs; however, “we must be able to attract as many patron as possible in order to implement long term programs.”
Arius hopes that parents bring their kids to the library once in a while – if not all the time – to read or to be read to and to make use of the available resources and support.
The PLL is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Arrangements can be made to accommodate programs and activities that promote literacy.Anyone interested to learn more about PLL or the programs it runs can call 488-2973 for further details.
