Wasting no time: (Above) Children using computers at the library as a way to spend their free time during the school holidays. Pictures: Syafie Nadi
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
WITH the start of the first term school holidays, the Language and Literature Bureau sees an increase in the number of young visitors who are eager to access the treasure trove of fantasy tales, information and fun activities.
The main library started welcoming children and teenagers who came for different reasons, for the first time during the school holiday season Saturday.
Wajihah Salleh, one of the regular visitors to the library told The Brunei Times that she came to the library to do some research on Hang Tuah, an illustrious Malay hero. She said that it was for her Malay Language assignment.
"Since the school's library is closed, I invited my cousin to accompany me here to look for references," the 16-year-old said.
The lower secondary six student added that she was very satisfied with the wide range of references on malay history and literature available in the main library. She also felt comfortable studying and doing research in the provided area, eventhough there were also small children sharing the same building.
"They (children) do not bother me at all, because they are usually at a different section of the library and they are always closely monitored with different activities," she pointed out.
However, Wajihah mentioned an 'eyesore' that she referred to as "couples". She said that there are people who come to the library to meet their boyfriends or girlfriends, instead of studying or reading.
"I would usually ignore their presence and there would be librarians that would talk to them, advising them against any improper conduct," she said.
Meanwhile, her cousin, Nurul Asyikin Hj Zaili, was looking forward to doing her homework and practising exam questions, referring to the past year papers available in the library.
The library not only attracted students for academic reasons but also children who came to the library for the activities that they enjoyed so much.
Seven-year-old Duratul Ain Hj Durhan, who came with her sister and mother to the library, had enjoyed reading ever since she knew how by the age of five. Her mother had registered her to be a member of the library's branch in Seria, which is near to her house. During the school holidays, Duratul Ain and her family would visit her grandparents, who live nearby in Kampong Bendahara Lama. She has gone to many libraries and despite owning a mini library of her own at home, her favourite place is still the main library in the capital. "There are a lot of books here and they have fun activities. I want to come here everyday," she said. Typical of any other young girl, Duratul Ain loves to read fairy tale stories such as Rapunzel and Cinderella.
"Even if it is the same title, the story is written by different authors so they have different versions and she would buy them all if she sees another one," her mother said.
Dk Rahina Pg Hj Murah is a proud mother of two daughters who love to read and said that she did not mind accompanying them to book stores and libraries, giving them the full support and attention.
"Their favourite book stores are Best Eastern and Paul & Elizabeth, especially the latter as visitors can read in the shop," she said.
Dk Rahina added that she and her husband realised their daughters had a deep interest in reading when they always approached the books section first instead of toys and would always ask their father to buy books, whenever he went overseas.
The strong interest in reading also motivated Nur Faizah Abdul Rahman to be a member and visit the library during school holidays.
Reading fluently in English, the 10-year-old, accompanied by her sister was sent to the library by their parents. Her interest can be seen, when she was announced as the member who did the most reading throughout the year in 2007. Apart from reading, the Primary Four student also enjoys colouring and drawing, which are the main activities organised by the library.
Aside from the Language and Literature Bureau library, parents may also take the initiative to show their children around Brunei or even their workplace.
About 50 children of officers and staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday took part in activities organised by the ministry's library.
One of the activities run during the school holidays was an educational visit to the Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) studio in the capital.
The Brunei Times
The main library started welcoming children and teenagers who came for different reasons, for the first time during the school holiday season Saturday.
Wajihah Salleh, one of the regular visitors to the library told The Brunei Times that she came to the library to do some research on Hang Tuah, an illustrious Malay hero. She said that it was for her Malay Language assignment.
"Since the school's library is closed, I invited my cousin to accompany me here to look for references," the 16-year-old said.
The lower secondary six student added that she was very satisfied with the wide range of references on malay history and literature available in the main library. She also felt comfortable studying and doing research in the provided area, eventhough there were also small children sharing the same building.
"They (children) do not bother me at all, because they are usually at a different section of the library and they are always closely monitored with different activities," she pointed out.
However, Wajihah mentioned an 'eyesore' that she referred to as "couples". She said that there are people who come to the library to meet their boyfriends or girlfriends, instead of studying or reading.
"I would usually ignore their presence and there would be librarians that would talk to them, advising them against any improper conduct," she said.
Meanwhile, her cousin, Nurul Asyikin Hj Zaili, was looking forward to doing her homework and practising exam questions, referring to the past year papers available in the library.
The library not only attracted students for academic reasons but also children who came to the library for the activities that they enjoyed so much.
Seven-year-old Duratul Ain Hj Durhan, who came with her sister and mother to the library, had enjoyed reading ever since she knew how by the age of five. Her mother had registered her to be a member of the library's branch in Seria, which is near to her house. During the school holidays, Duratul Ain and her family would visit her grandparents, who live nearby in Kampong Bendahara Lama. She has gone to many libraries and despite owning a mini library of her own at home, her favourite place is still the main library in the capital. "There are a lot of books here and they have fun activities. I want to come here everyday," she said. Typical of any other young girl, Duratul Ain loves to read fairy tale stories such as Rapunzel and Cinderella.
"Even if it is the same title, the story is written by different authors so they have different versions and she would buy them all if she sees another one," her mother said.
Dk Rahina Pg Hj Murah is a proud mother of two daughters who love to read and said that she did not mind accompanying them to book stores and libraries, giving them the full support and attention.
"Their favourite book stores are Best Eastern and Paul & Elizabeth, especially the latter as visitors can read in the shop," she said.
Dk Rahina added that she and her husband realised their daughters had a deep interest in reading when they always approached the books section first instead of toys and would always ask their father to buy books, whenever he went overseas.
The strong interest in reading also motivated Nur Faizah Abdul Rahman to be a member and visit the library during school holidays.
Reading fluently in English, the 10-year-old, accompanied by her sister was sent to the library by their parents. Her interest can be seen, when she was announced as the member who did the most reading throughout the year in 2007. Apart from reading, the Primary Four student also enjoys colouring and drawing, which are the main activities organised by the library.
Aside from the Language and Literature Bureau library, parents may also take the initiative to show their children around Brunei or even their workplace.
About 50 children of officers and staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday took part in activities organised by the ministry's library.
One of the activities run during the school holidays was an educational visit to the Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) studio in the capital.
The Brunei Times