It is common to see many primary school pupils in Da Nang read voraciously books chosen from movable book closets in schoolyards during break times. Another idea to develop a healthy reading habit amongst local residents, especially young people and children, comes from the Tran Phu Senior High School, located on Le Thanh Ton Street.

Pupils from the Tran Phu Senior High School eagerly reading books chosen from in sidewalk closets placed in front of the school gate

Since the beginning of this academic year, movable book closets have been placed on the sidewalk in front of the school with the intention of inspiring more pupils to read.

The initiative was pushed by teacher Phan Hung, the school’s Principal. He said, last summer, a book café model was opened within the school campus, and this idea drew great deal of attention from not only the pupils and teachers, but also residents living nearby.

At that time, he realised that, due to their busy work schedules, many people donot have enough time to go to libraries to enjoy relaxing reading experience here, hereby making their reading habit fade away.

With the aim of making books more accessible and convenient to the general public, Hung’s idea received high praise and support by the school’s teaching staff.

Accordingly, 4 movable book closets, along with more stone benches, have been placed along the sidewalk, in front of the school.

Hung and his colleagues themselves usually look for attractive books at bookstores across the city, and place them inside these bookcases once a week.

The book closets serve the public from 6.30am until 5.30pm, attracting a large number of book-lovers.
Picking up a book on behaviour skills, Tran Nguyen Phung Tri, a Year 12 pupil at the Tran Phu school, expressed his delight at the usefulness and convenience of the book closets in front of the school.

“While waiting for my parents after school, I can choose our favourite books. I love reading books, especially novels or books about behaviour and life skills”.

Ms Nguyen Hong Minh, 45, from Hai Chau District said, “People are reluctant to go to libraries, register for reading cards and search for books. Now, thanks to the operation of such convenient “sidewalk library”, I feel really comfortable as there is no need to contact the librarian for books I want”.

However, according to Year 10 pupil Hoang Quy Tam from the Tran Phu school, the book closets should be more eye-catching in order to attract even more readers, especially young people.

“It is a need to add more genres, including novels and vocational guidance books, to the book closets, apart from exiting political ones mainly", said Tam.

It is noticeable, in recent times, book swapping amongst readers has provided an inexpensive way for people to exchange books, find out about their favourite books, and obtain new books to read for free.

In the coming time, more electric lights and a CCTV camera will be installed, hereby facilitating pupils, teachers and residents living nearby can satisfy their reading passion in the evening.