Reading in Latvia: Contexts, Policies and Practices Silvija Tretjakova Head of the Children’s Literature Centre of LNL, EURYDICE national expert © LNB 2011

Context: publishing „publishing“ as one area of activity – about 381companies in Latvia. VAT on books was raised in 2009 from 5% to 21% ( EE – 5% to 9%) Regular VAT rose from 18% to 21% This affects publishing and book production very hard The new titles of books per year 2244 (2009) Total print run - 3,5 million (2009) In Estonia – total print run - 6,8 million (2009) The new titles of books in Estonia – 4551 (2009)

Context: education 1.No specific strategie and funding for the promotion of reading have been adopted; 2.No special teachers' knowledge and skills for teaching reading; 3.Motivation of reading between pupils is very low (PISA 2009); 4.Sharply reduced system of school libraries during last 5 years

The ways young people are spending their free time Almost every day: 1.Watch TV (83%) 2.Spend their time with friends (78%) 3.Use the Internet (60%) 4.Play computer games (34%) 5.Actively do sports (33%) 6.Engage in music or arts, attend out-of- school hobby/studio groups (20%) 7.Read books (17%) 4

Public libraries in Latvia In total 1636 (facts about 2010) Number of all libraries in Latvia public Libraries 817 school libraries Public libraries are well equipped due to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contribution within the framework of project “Father’s Third Son” But libraries don’t get enough money for purchase the books Only the State Culture Capital Foundation supporting reading promotion and book production In total 2 millions 230 thousands inhabitants (2011)

Eurydice study 2010/2011 For the first time this Eurydice study offers a comprehensive picture of reading literacy The study, which covers 31 countries – EU Member States and 4 countries outsaid EU Reading skills for 3 – 15 years olds

Focus on the proups most at risk, such as boys, children from disadvantaged household and migrant children EU Ministers have set a target to reduce the share of poor readers from 20% to less than 15% by 2020 (Only Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Poland and Finland have already achieved this target)

% of low-achieving 15 year-old students in reading, 2009  In Latvia 17,6%  In Estonia - 13,3%,  In Lithuania - 24,4%

The study is based on the academic research on the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2006 data.

Promotion of reading in society 1.Latvia have established national bodie – Children’s Literature Centre of the National Library of Latvia in order to coordinate and fund activities to promote reading between children. 2.Latvia have one state-funded programme for promoting reading “Children’s Jury”, targeting the children and young people. 3.In Latvia there is missing the programme targeting whole population. 4.Enthusiast in libraries and schools starting to provide advice and training for parents to read aloud to their children and to teach their children specific literacy skills. 5.In our country is lack of publicity in TV & media about books and reading.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS Reading literacy is of crucial importance in our knowledge-based society and economy. However, international surveys clearly indicate that pupils' reading levels in reading need to be improved in many countries as well as in Latvia. Education decision-makers, teachers and libararians have a critical role to play in raising the reading literacy levels of young people in Latvia. However, to be most effective, their efforts should be part of broader strategies addressing wider issues. Reading difficulties are influenced by the family background of socio- economic status, parents' level of education, and languages skills, all have significant effects on pupils' level of reading. The gender dimension is an important factor in accounting for differences in reading scores between pupils. The girls are consistently better than boys.

Other factors which impact on the acquisition of reading skills arise from structural characteristics of education systems. National changes in PISA scores between 2000 and 2009 can be explained by system changes such as postponing the age at which pupils are streamed into different educational paths or tracks, increasing exposure to national testing or a widening of the socio-economic gap between schools. These more general aspects should be kept in mind when trying to make clear recommendations about which approaches work best in improving reading literacy skills. It is usually the case that a combination of factors, which may be peculiar to a specific education system and tradition, operate together to bring about improvement. However, this study has shown that lessons can be learned from the findings of international surveys and research, and general principles for the successful teaching of reading skills can be formed which, if put into practice, can make a strong contribution to improving attainment in this area. The conclusions below will highlight the key issues for further discussion and indicate where new research or policy development is needed in order to raise reading achievement levels and improve the motivation of children and young people in Latvia to read more.

The chain of culture consumption CREATION PRODUCTION DISSAMINATION CONSUMPTION

Children's Jury This programme take an interactive approach whereby children engage in reading activities and afterwards discuss and compare them and vote for their favourite book. The aim of such programme is to promote critical reading skills in children, show respect for their opinions and choices, and stimulate a joy of reading among them. Some other programmes in Latvia take the form of competitions and games. Children receive special small gifts for reading the books.

Websites created by Forum of Ideas (Ideju Forums) Online project aiming at promoting reading, boost interest of children and teenagers in literature and cultural heritage as well as promote creativity using modern technologies, internet and different formats – text, audio, video and image.

BOOK start Project 'Book start': update of the project 'The First Encounter with Library' (2007/08) Programme in 216 libraries aiming at capturing the attention of new parents, popularising library services for families, promoting a positive attitude from society towards children, parents and children's culture, to develop a picture book supporting reading promotion.

Latvia's new National Library building

Latvia's new National Library building is architectural symbol for Latvia and multi- functional structure that meets the needs of a modern information based society also needs of reading and discussions about books; New services: 1.Foundation for reading promotion; 2.Planning group of Children and Youth services; 3.Agency of Authors and Illustrators, which provides visits in schools and libraries; 4.DEMO center, Science to People center ect.

Thank you!

Contacts Silvija Tretjakova Children’s Literature Centre, National Library of Latvia, Library Association of Latvia