Books to be made available on beaches
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Books are being made available at a number of beaches to further promote the culture of reading.
In an initiative launched this morning by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco and the National Book Council, Dr de Marco said that a number of books were being made available at the Bugibba Perched Beach, St Paul’s Bay and Fond Ghadir for the public to read while relaxing. Users are expected to return the books before leaving.
Cabinets with around 50 books appealing to all ages and covering a variety of subjects are to be made available.
Dr de Marco urged the public to donate books they no longer needed.
He said that if the project is successful, the initiative would be extended to more beaches.
The parliamentary secretary also spoke about the work done on MTA beaches, including Ghadira, Golden Bay, St George’s, Qawra and the Bugibba perched beach. These included an increased number of beach supervisors, lifeguards, cleaning crews, waste separation facilities and special bins for cigarette butts. Upgrading was also being carried out at Fond Ghadir, Sliema and Fra Ben.
A number of educational and recreational activities were also being held over the summer, including for children.
Sergio Grech, from the NBC, said the initiative would help promote the concept of reading during recreation since many associated reading with something academic.
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54 Comments
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Ann Duncan
Jul 17th 2010, 11:10
I can just see the headlines in The Times of Malta in fifteen to twenty years time - 'Sudden Increase in Optical Cancers in Malta'. I sincerely hope that EVERYONE who reads at the beach wears an extremely good pair of sunglasses for the sake of their eyesight. How many people will?
Walter Busuttil
Jul 17th 2010, 11:02
Good gimmick? I love books and reading but is it really worthwhile to borrow a book just to read a few pages between swimming and sunbathing to return a few hours later? Ok if its a few pages but how much merit is there for this action? Having a mobile library will be much better so at least one can finish a book by being able to take it home with him. It should also be extended to other popular beaches - so all can benefit and not just the few!!
M Debono
Jul 16th 2010, 11:08
As usual!! South of Malta only thought of for some unwanted , harmful project and klandestini!!
E. Psaila
Jul 16th 2010, 07:59
Why should I take a book, read some pages and return it before I leave? If I want to read I take a book with me, which by the way I always do. And all these new people employed on the beaches is only a way to accommodate some. I am not talking about the lifeguards but about the beach supervisor and beach crew. Money down the drain!
R. Sammut
Jul 17th 2010, 11:20
if you want to take the book with me, go to the library before hand and get a book and read it wherever you want!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 16th 2010, 00:57
HOw about a mobile library to take books from village to village?
r. cutajar
Jul 17th 2010, 09:02
Wonderfull and very well done whose idea it was
Books have the capacity to mould characters and a nation
On the other hand it is a tragedy really, really shamefull to see the kind of LIFE in Malta what it is like !
Come On let those who have been running the country for almost a quarter of a century say "mia culpa"
Many aspects of life in Malta gives the impression that the rulers did not respect the books and their tutors
How is that for respect and pride of your achievements Dear University Institution ?
I can imagine the Wise Owl figure cringing and weeping at such a Nation's Administration who graduated and vowed to work insisently to the good of the nation
Simply despicabile and no excuses should exsonerate you from responsibility at least the history books should attenuate your non proper performance when you had all the tools to do Much Much more
If I were to be put in jail perhaps I would not mind if I could have access to books ! ( only family members disapprove )
edward bartolo
Jul 15th 2010, 23:18
Literacy is the greatest invention of humanity.
Well done goes to whoever had the idea.
Charles Busuttil
Jul 15th 2010, 20:42
According to the 8.00p.m. TVM news bulletin of today 15/07/2010, no books are to be installed on any beach on the southern part of the island. WHY IS THIS?
Noel Enriquez
Jul 15th 2010, 20:19
Why look at books when there's much more interesting views to look at on a Maltese beach???? :-) haha
R. Bezzina
Jul 15th 2010, 22:55
Lol unless the life guards instead of saving lives do not keep acting as policemen and do not keep telling rightfully pissed off tourists to dress up...Somebody should tell us who instructed the life guards to behave in this way...
ct busuttil
Jul 15th 2010, 20:15
no harm in the idea. with adequate publicity it could catch on. What time are the books available though? swimming goes on till late, when the heat subsides. It would help to know where we can donate; a phone number perhaps?
j.camenzuli
Jul 15th 2010, 19:05
May I ask the Minister to take the initiative to install a lift from the Education Department Office to the Central Library at Floriana as the steep road by the Excelsior hotel is awkward for senior citizens to manage.
E.Cassar
Jul 15th 2010, 18:54
.. ok good idea i agree.. but its plain stupid... who wants to read in the scorching sun and high temperatures outside??? how about extending library hours?
Randolph Peresso
Jul 15th 2010, 19:51
I do! I always take a book with me on beach. It all depends on how much you love reading. I'm sorry to say, but your post shows you are not a keen reader.
E.Cassar
Jul 16th 2010, 11:40
.. its not love for book (fyi i am a keen reader myself now currently doing my 2nd dissertation) however, I dont think in the sun at the beach is a good idea. People need to stay away from the sun at specific hours and this is not encouraging them to do so. Having said that, maybe providing better shaded areas for people would do. Health should be the priority.
Anth Attard
Jul 15th 2010, 18:30
Prosit.... a good idea.
Let's be absorb in reading books while enjoying a cool sea breeze.
But we have to keep in mind the Health Ministry's warning!
Let's take with us an umbrella and sun block to ensure protection from ultra violet rays unless we go to the beach early morning or late afternoon.
Enjoy!
c galea
Jul 15th 2010, 18:18
hsieb tajjeb pero ebda bajja msemmija m'hi fin-naha t' isfel ta malta!!!!!
ANNA GRECH
Jul 15th 2010, 17:56
Well done! I think this is a fantastic idea! Keep up the good initiatives as these will help to focus on putting relaxing time to good use
Keith Azzopardi
Jul 15th 2010, 17:22
Something similar has already been done in a cafeteria in St. James. The books have not been stolen :)
P Micallef
Jul 15th 2010, 17:08
You can take books to the people on the beach but you cannot make them read. Those who are interested in reading always take a book with them.
M Dimech
Jul 16th 2010, 11:18
You are right in saying so however, ppl tend to follow suit i.e. if you see ppl reading you will probably want to and through this initiative you can easily find a book to read. It might encourage the habit of carrying a book the next time you go out.
E Caruana
Jul 15th 2010, 15:42
While on the subject of reading and encouraging people to read more, can somebody please explain why the public libraries are open mornings only during the summer? How can those persons who work from monday to saturday (eg bank employees etc) borrow books in summer?
Please don't tell me about government employees on half days - there should be a shift with these employees. Anyway, since most libraries and most government offices are air conditioned this farce of working half days because of the heat is no longer valid. Government offices including libraries should be open in the afternoon like any other private business.
Maureen Gatt
Jul 15th 2010, 15:06
@ Pawlu Vella - The library could do with some new books, I agree, but any initiative which gets people to read is definately not a waste of money.
@ George Borg - All the books in Maltese? Is the point to exclude all foreigners from reading these books, or from donating their holiday reads once they are ready from them? Which 'people' will discover 'all the wonderful books we have'? Just the small proportion of the Maltese population that actually read books?
@ A Abela - Your comment makes you sound as if you are one of those people who are never content with whatever you are given in life. I suggest you try to read 'The Alchemist', by Paolo Coelho. In the shade, of course!
jamie grima
Jul 15th 2010, 14:16
another only in malta.com !!
first we promote to avoid long hrs in sun , now this !! halluna !
Ryan Sultana
Jul 15th 2010, 14:13
this is an excellent idea to promote book reading Well done - got to hear on new ideas
Sandro Cremona
Jul 15th 2010, 14:08
Quote 'Users are expected to return the books before leaving.' The books and shelves will be gone the folowwing day. And do i have to read it all during the time i am sunbathing or can I continue reading the folowwing chapters the next day.
Stephen Farrugia ( Sliema )
Jul 15th 2010, 13:59
What a fantastic idea. Well done.
A Camilleri
Jul 15th 2010, 13:59
Now I can underttand better why the English used to call us "Maltese gemgem". Whatever initiative is taken is being criticised with "Why this?", "Why that?", "How is this?, "How is that?", so on and so forth....
What a bunch of people we are :)
We need to learn how to live our lives
Tanja Cilia
Jul 15th 2010, 13:55
Are the books being made available, anthologies? Are there any poetry books? It would have been more practical to have a "Bring One, Take One Home" system, because my guess is that not many people would be prepared to read a couple of chapters at each beach session.
victor pulis
Jul 15th 2010, 13:45
While wishing every success to this initiative I can't imagine a lot of children making use of this facility. It's hard to get them to read at home let alone on the beach where they go to swim, play and have fun. Good luck anyway. As for the MTA's work done on beaches, how about Ghajn Tuffieha bay? This is one of the most popular beaches but the state of the sand leaves much to be desired.
D.Zerafa
Jul 15th 2010, 13:44
It is a good initiative and hope that it will be successful. However we should treat other matters with priority, such as, training our rude bus drivers on customer care. We should be ashamed of ourselves to allow bus drivers treat our tourists with disrespect. It is embarassing to hear an incident like the one which concerned the Spanish tourist on the 29th June. I hope that serious action has been taken and that the driver had his license revoked.
l.zammit
Jul 15th 2010, 13:22
KEMM HAWN MIN IGERGER GHAL KULL HAGA TA' XEJN!
A very good idea! well done Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Dr. Mario de Marco and the National Book Council!
Bob Ciantar
Jul 15th 2010, 13:19
What a bunch of whiners. Seriously, get a life.
Randolph Peresso
Jul 15th 2010, 13:16
“A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Randolph Peresso
Jul 15th 2010, 13:10
A very good initiative indeed. Well done
N.Calleja
Jul 15th 2010, 12:56
A true Maltese gemgem generation!! Instead of feeling satisfation on the initiative, some Maltese gloomers always find something to moan about!! How stupid they can be? Can they at least shut their big mouths??
ASpiteri
Jul 15th 2010, 12:50
what a stupid idea!
of course book reading is something to encourage...but that should come from the individual...not the government lending books on the beach!
pierre agius
Jul 15th 2010, 12:47
Very good idea. Well done. How about installing wifi?
J. Schembri
Jul 15th 2010, 12:45
I bet not before long we will have empty cabinets.............. and after that there will be no cabinets at all !!
carmel callus
Jul 15th 2010, 12:40
Ara veru Maltese gemgem. You can't appreciate something which is positive. Dr Demarco made it clear it is just being introduced on an experimental basis. So why the complain that no beaches in Gozo or in the south have been selected. Please give it a chance before you open your mouth....
Chris Ellul
Jul 15th 2010, 12:35
Excellent idea, reading on the beach is a really nice thing to do so why not promote it?
Perhaps having the innovative edge at our beaches will make them more attractive to the visitors to our islands.
G. Caruana
Jul 15th 2010, 12:29
What about introducing books and REMOVE all the sunbeds/ umbrellas which are so inconviniently placed by the kiosk owners? Now THAT would be an improvement.
C. Darmanin
Jul 17th 2010, 13:31
Tajjeb wisq! Filkas nigi nghid lilek imbghad biex tigi taghmilli d-dell minflok l-umbrella!!!!!
A Abela
Jul 15th 2010, 12:27
The parliamentary sec. is promoting staying long hours in the sun.
Mary Anne Zammit
Jul 15th 2010, 12:26
Hmm.......for a change Gozo has been left out! Not even one beach has been selected for this promotion.
George Borg
Jul 15th 2010, 12:24
It will be great if all the books available will be in Malttese so we can be proud of our beautiful language and people will discover all the wonderful books we have.
Robert Azzopardi
Jul 15th 2010, 12:21
Could somebody kindly explain to me what is a beach supervisor and what is his or her role?
Paul Barrett
Jul 15th 2010, 15:48
To ensure that there are no topless female sunbathers. I find this rule extremely sexist and it should either be optional or apply to male and female sunbathers.
Robert Azzopardi
Jul 15th 2010, 16:30
Are you serious??? Pathetic, this country is reverting back to dark moral days, instead of moving ahead. But are you sure that that is the sole purpose of these supervisors?
a spiteri
Jul 15th 2010, 12:16
Hello Hello....anybody there??? What about the southern beaches dear parliamentary secretary!!!??
Pawlu Vella
Jul 15th 2010, 12:10
A waste of money and a cheap PR stunt. It would have been better to upgrade our public lending libraries especially the central one in Floriana. How about finding it a more central place where it will accessible especially to the young and those who do not drive? Or equip it with more material and QUALIFIED human resources? Then, that would be a good PR exercise.
C. Schembri
Jul 15th 2010, 13:31
Last I heard, this is exactly what is in the process of being implemented.
Karl Consiglio
Jul 15th 2010, 12:08
Cool