The municipalities of Kobarid, Metlika, Prebold, Rogaška Slatina and Vransko received the title of reading-friendly municipality, awarded by the Association of Public Libraries, the Community of Municipalities of Slovenia and the Ministry of Culture.
The title, which is intended to encourage the activities of the local community to improve reading literacy and culture, was awarded to the municipalities by the Ministry of Culture. The relevant title is awarded to municipalities that pay special attention to books and reading.
A title awarded since 2017Since 2017, 57 municipalities have received the title. It is valid for three years, after which the recipient of the title presents the results in this field to the expert committee again. This year, the municipalities of Dobrepolje, Hoče-Slivnica, Postojna, Ravne na Koroškem and Ruše and the municipalities of Celje, Maribor and Velenje extended their names for another three years.
The reading-friendly municipality public competition was created with the aim of encouraging municipalities to play a more active role in the local community, to participate in the improvement of reading literacy and reading culture among residents through conscious planning, design and setting goals in this area. In their applications for the title, municipalities demonstrate a high awareness of the importance of reading and books through their attitude to library activity as a mandatory public service, and what is even more important, through their own reflection and creative projects, the press release states.
The goal is to make all municipalities reader-friendly“Reading stimulates the intellect, relaxes, expands knowledge, improves concentration, vocabulary, writing and memory, stimulates critical and analytical thinking, entertains and has many other positive effects,” announced the president of the Association of Public Libraries at the awarding of this year’s titles Vesna Horžen. “Our goal is that all Slovenian municipalities are reader-friendly. Municipalities have a great influence on the quality of life of their residents. We note that the municipalities that have already acquired the title of reading-friendly municipality are upgrading and improving activities in the field of books and reading, thereby improving their level of functioning in the social, economic and cultural fields. Municipalities do this in cooperation with libraries, which are their most natural partners in promoting reading,” she added.
Good books open up horizonsAs pointed out by the general secretary of the Community of Municipalities of Slovenia Jasmina Vidmar, reading from an early age helps develop and maintain imagination, enrich vocabulary and develop creativity. A good book in her words “it opens horizons, stimulates the spirit and our sense of expressing our own experience. It is necessary to talk about books and book contents, to develop a dialogue, even between generations. This year’s winners of the Reading Friendly Municipality certificate and those who are successfully extending it this year are well aware of this and systematically support it with their inclusive projects.“
Real and fake news and alternative factsState Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Matevž Čelik Vidmar among other things, he added that reading is especially important for each of us today in order to deal with extensive and complex information. “Reading is the knowledge that helps us discern meaning from the flood of data produced by the modern world. It helps us understand the truth between real and fake news and alternative facts. Of these, trust between people, trust in institutions and trust in democracy are important today. That is why the promotion of reading culture at the local level is so important,Čelik Vidmar concluded.
Source: Rtvslo
