Reading levels among the Maltese may be lower than the EU average but figures are showing a positive trend. National Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri tells Stephanie Fsadni about various initiatives promoting reading, especially among schoolchildren, and the council’s recent experience at the London Book Fair.
Fifty-five per cent of the Maltese population read a book at least once a year –13 per cent less than the EU average – according to the Eurobarometer Survey on Culture 2013. The figure may look pretty dismal, however, it marks an increase of 10 per cent on the previous survey results released in 2007. NSO statistics also show a growing trend in the private consumption of books.
The National Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri looks at these figures with optimism.
“The level of reading among the Maltese is relatively low but it is growing at a steady rate,” says Camilleri, who has just returned from the London Book Fair, where Malta was officially represented for the first time.
The National Book Council, founded in 2001, has as its main aim the promotion and appreciation of books of all categories across all ages and social strata. One way of reaching out to everyone is through public libraries and educational institutions.
“Libraries have and will always be the ideal place to provide a free and easy access to books for people in lower income brackets and the economically disenfranchised,” Camilleri points out.
He adds that the demand from school libraries is overwhelming but acknowledges that more work needs to be done to turn them into good libraries, offering “a comprehensive reading list of quality titles in good condition”.
Besides, he claims that books have been absent in public education and cultural policy for many years.
Books have been absent in public education and cultural policy for many years
“Now we are trying to catch up after many lost years,” he says.
In view of this, the council is participating in a strategy with the Education Department and other inter-ministerial entities to gradually supply all school libraries and classrooms with the latest books.
Among other initiatives to address lower-income families, schoolchildren are given free book vouchers at the National Book Festival, which also falls under the remit of the council.
Camilleri believes reading remains a favourite pastime among children of all ages, despite them having various options to while away their time nowadays.
“This can be viewed by the high lending rates of children’s books from public libraries and book consumption statistics,” he reiterates.
Making reading fun is the key to entice more children to read.
“Apart from activities at schools on a strategic level, we have turned the National Book Fair into a festival during which children are invited to various events which include theatre and animated readings, thus presenting books to them in a multi-disciplinary context.
“The point is to show that books can be fun and ideal for children since they are the best tools for imagination.”
Camilleri also believes that reading on digital platforms, such as notebooks, tablets and e-readers, are encouraging more children to read.
“That’s also why there are efforts from the government’s end to introduce digital devices in schools,” he says.
A love for reading, however, is also a question of nurture.
“Parents should encourage reading to their children as soon as they are born.
“Reading to them even at a very early stage will increase their predisposition to reading at a later age,” Camilleri maintains.
Building new connections
The council is also the official issuer of ISBNs for Malta and organises the the National Book Prize and other initiatives such as the Literary Contest for Novels for Youth.
“We are always trying to improve the National Book Prize so as to make it more fair, relevant and prestigious. For this year, we have separated the children’s categories from the original Book Prize to group them in a prize-winning ceremony on their own to be held during the National Book Festival.
“We have also allowed for the possibilities to have more than one winner per each category and have again increased some categories, so more prizes are available for grabs,” he enthuses.
Speaking of the council’s participation in the London Book Fair last week, Camilleri says that the “experience was much better than what we had expected”.
“We caught the attention of publishers and book sellers for various reasons. Some showed interest because of the language, some saw it as a completely new market and others already knew Malta from a holiday trip.
“We managed to pull a small crowd for our presentation on the local book market, but above all, we managed to get publishers to consider publishing locally-translated works, and provided them with a comprehensive list of Maltese authors and publishers....
“We gave priority to books that won the National Book Prize so as to make sure we are promoting a good product.”
The council also promoted the National Book Festival extensively and is expecting some new foreign visitors for the upcoming festival in November.
Local printers, which have a strong export operation, held meetings with foreign clients at the Malta stand. Furthermore, new connections and networking were built.
“Last but not least, we have successfully placed a bid with a major international book-related organisation to hold a very important annual general meeting in Malta in 2018,” reveals Camilleri, but he would not go into further detail.
He stresses that it is very important for Malta to be continuously represented in the global book market.
“The London Book Fair is probably an ideal place to pursue such an aim.”
Book Festival on Campus
From May 5 to 7, the Għaqda tal-Malti and the National Book Council are holding the second edition of the Book Fair on Campus at the University of Malta. This event is aimed at both university students and the public. Local publishers will have stands to sell and promote their latest titles. Opening hours: 9am to 3pm; 7pm to 9.30pm. For more information, visit the National Book Council Facebook page.