Stimulation of reading in Croatia IP LibCMASS 2011 Contract № 2011-ERA-IP-7 SULSIT, Sofia Sept. Zagreb Team

2 Croatian Reading Association nongovernmental, nonprofit and voluntary organization mission: to stimulate, research and improve reading and literacy activities: organization of professional education programme publishing (bulletins, proceedings, books...) HRČAK - journal of CRA

... activites for: International Literacy Day Month of Croatian Book Interliber... international cooperation CRA is member of International Reading Association - IRA Recent activity - “Reading at the city’s points” 3

Zagreb City Libraries modern and well-organized network of public libraries central library for all public and school libraries in the City of Zagreb and sourranding places one of the greatest cultural institutions in the town 44 libraries Literary Friday, Month of the Croatian Book...

5 1. Month of the Croatian Book ( ) traditional manifestation since 1995 mostly in the public libraries in Croatia objective: the promotion of books as a fundamental social value in 1995 = 105 libraries, 500 activities and events in 2010 = 180 libraries, over 2000 different activities and events

6 1.b. Quiz for promoting a reading for school children since 1998 Croatian Center For Children's Book 2010 – more than participants (children!) each year dedicated to one writer the questions are about a selection of the writer’s books each book – 4 types of questions: –Yes or no –What doesn't belong –Multiple-choice –Short text questions

2. Best reader award public and school libraries usually for the International Children's Book Day (02.04.) celebration diploma & prizes interview for school, library or local newspaper, radio-shows...

2. Library Dugave – “KLJUČ” Klub LJUbitelja Čitanja - Love reading club (Children‘s section of the library) Ključ = key project “Key to knowledge” aim: to make a collection of children‘s recensions of all types of books –A4 format –In any language –Basic information about the book’s content –Recension, Pictures, drawings... meetings of the Club members

3. Literary Friday since public lecture and discussion with the aim of popularizing reading wide range of themes: –Language –Sociology –Philosophy, –Art... local and foreing guesses special role in the 50s

4. Week of good book 2011 a joint project of Croatian publishers and booksellers goal: to promote reading culture in Croatia through a change of perception of the book and highlight the diversity of available publications - there are books for everyone and for every taste

Activities in general... Books for babies Story-telling - a playroom for children under 3 years old “Mouse”- Small IT School (Koprivnica) “Friday for reading a book” “Little library”...

Thank you for your attention!! 13

Questions 1)Is a good system of public libraries enough for the stimulation of reading? Explain your answer. 2)To which group of users should the activities be orientated and why? 3)Should be any taboo themes in adolescents' reading clubs? 4)Should the librarians that lead reading clubs be specialy train? In which field? 5)Should the stimulation of reading be mention in the mission statement of every library or is that one of its obvius functions? 14