It is fortunate to once set foot in a library in a country that is consistently ranked among the highest in the world in terms of happiness. The feeling was amazing. Amazed at the level of grandeur, modernity, cubes, architectural lines. Surprised at the very different approach from what has been defaulted on the traditional library model for so long: a place to store books, reading area, lending books. Surprised at the idea of ​​a library theme: “Sharing a dream”. It is true that nothing is constant in this variable world.

Recently, society has been inspired by many activities on the occasion of "Vietnamese Book and Reading Culture - April 21". When it comes to books and reading, the library often comes to everybody's mind. Libraries have had an adjustment of the Law in 2019, but it seems that they have not achieved the expected goal: attracting readers to the library and improving the reading culture for Vietnamese people.

There has been a debate about the percentage of Vietnamese people reading books and going to the library, and then giving numbers for comparison in the region and around the world. Changing reading culture is not easy, but it is possible to change the mindset about traditional libraries in the context of multimedia and people are always dominated by time for studying, working and earning a living.

With great pleasure and respect, in the past time, many localities have had many innovations in building libraries of families, clans and communities, associated with study promotion and the initial journey of knowledgeizing farmers and rural residents. Many dedicated people have also supported the construction of libraries and donated books to the highlands. Many libraries have connected a variety of activities: bringing a knowledge train to remote rural areas, inviting experts to inspire reading. Many libraries organize thematic activities to attract the interest of all social classes. Specifically, UNESCO has honored the program "Rural Literacy" of a group of volunteers who are concerned about reading culture.

Every small change and silent action of each individual, enthusiastic social group will be a signal that spreads to the social community and creates an expectation to overcome the curse: Vietnamese people rarely read books and go to the library. Those silent actions have a positive impact on the community and society, impacting on changing people's awareness and behavior.

Back to the library, but rather called as the intellectual space in the Nordic country, there are many things to think about, not just about books and reading, but there is a new approach from a famous person: “Library should not be just a place to keep books, nor should it be just a place to read books. It should be a center of research - research that any rational person should have." Thus, books must be various, meeting the needs of different subjects, different occupations, and different capacities.

In addition to serving traditional information resources, the library also needs to provide many other facilities such as: serving digital information resources, guiding graphic design, introducing and selling electronic devices, sports equipment, souvenirs, stationery... In addition, some libraries also have coffee shop, restaurant, recording studio, video recording..., even the library has karaoke service.

Again, as another famous person has concluded: "The library is the treasure house containing all the spiritual wealth of mankind". When it comes to the spirit, it is about the emotions, so the library must always be fresh, lively, attracting people to come, first to relax, then to find information and knowledge and then gradually absorb the reading culture.

The library must attract and support a large number of people from all walks of life, including seniors in nursing homes and those who want a place to practice to increase their confidence in public. Not only that, the library also offers psychological courses for adults on how to overcome stress caused by the psychology of the elderly. Cultural writer Nguyen Binh Khiem has once said: "Far from where spring dreams come. Some enjoy reading books making poems." Thus, the library is also a space for people to come to interact with each other and find happiness together, not just to read books or borrow books to take home.

The library must create a multi-functional, multi-purpose integrated space, aiming to improve the welfare of the people. The library is not a storehouse for books because according to the great poet Nguyen Du: “Even books are full on four walls. There are not enough." In other words, if readers are "consumers" of knowledge, spiritual food, then libraries must "sell what consumers need" not "sell what they have". A finite time budget has always made people consider the “opportunity cost,” the value of what to give up when choosing a particular option. If the library satisfies as many needs as possible beyond reading, then it will be easier to reach readers.

People's reading needs are always diverse, which is the space to innovate library activities. Farmers need to read books about farming, knowledge of farming, animal husbandry, how to process agricultural products. Women need to read books about cooking, flower arrangement, beauty, skills to create a happy family, gender equality. Older people need books on nutrition, health care and an optimistic way of life. Students need books to expand their knowledge and approach the quintessence of humanity. Young children need books about the world of animals, plants, interesting nature, early life lessons. Entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs need books to cultivate the spirit from famous examples, build life values, management knowledge and skills, and business culture. And there are many other target groups that require library managers to research to meet their needs.

There is a Vietnamese proverb: "Leaving gold and silver is not as good as leaving books for children". That said, since ancient times, Vietnamese ancestor has highly valued building a family library, giving children the habit of reading books and knowledge from books from an early age, considering it a great asset that no wealth can compare. Unfortunately, in the current smartphone era, many parents forget that saying, allowing their children to play with smartphones and watch TV freely without control has caused many consequences to children's development.

In each target group, if there are more artistic activities such as: singing, picture exhibitions, physical training and sports, games that activate collective participation, etc. or seminars and discussions about good book, will activate everyone's dynamism.

Thus, going to the library is to relax and arouse the positive personality in each person, not passive people who are reluctant to read books. In addition, groups that love reading culture will jointly develop action programs to share knowledge, help the poor, and protect the environment, etc. These are actions and consequences from the process of changing people's awareness after reading book

There will be people who think that because their country is rich, there are such monumental libraries. Remember our grandparents once reminded: "Waste not, want not", knowing how to arrange will help you have enough space: in the room, in the lobby and hallway, indoors, on the veranda, and outdoors. … Think differently, good ideas will attract resources, knowing how to expand the connection space will also have more resources.

Some people will say, public libraries with their apparatus are bound by regulations, how to be untied to escape the narrow thinking space. Do it differently, once you do it for the sake of passion, you will get results, when there are results, you will be recognized. Let's do it with love of books, understand the value of reading culture is to improve people's welfare, then nothing is impossible!

The great poet Voltaire has summed it up: “What books teach us is like fire. We take it from the neighbor's house, light it in our house, pass it on to others and it becomes everyone's property."

Author: Xich Lo

Translated by Bao Ngoc