Khaleej Times

‘Wall of Giving’ offers open-access libraries for children

- Staff Reporter

sharjah — The Sharjah Children Centres (SCC) is offering open-access libraries for children in their neighbourh­ood. SCC is doing so through its Wall of Giving initiative that encourages reading among children by offering them accessible libraries located at the various centres across the emirate.

The initiative was launched to make children, mainly in the 6 to 12 age-group, not just receivers but curators of knowledge. Through these libraries, SCC aims to highlight the essential role played by libraries in the developmen­t of societies, and to instill attributes of teamwork, leadership and sharing among children.

“The Wall of Giving initiative aims to introduce to children a

The libraries have been establishe­d within our centres to benefit all young readers living in the neighborho­ods, irrespecti­ve of whether or not they are members of the SCC”. Aysha Ali Al Kaabi, Acting Director of SCC

sense of responsibi­lity through the libraries. This model was deliberate­ly chosen to inspire children to not just develop a love for books and reading, but also dive deep into a bigger enterprise – one that would require them to use their minds and bodies to grow, manage and sustain their libraries for the greater good of the society,” said Aysha Ali Al Kaabi, Acting Director of SCC.

“The libraries have been establishe­d within our centres to benefit all young readers living in the neighborho­ods, irrespecti­ve of whether or not they are members of the SCC,” Al Kaabi added.

Al Kaabi shared that a proper strategy is in place to help children understand the importance of participat­ing through book donations and by assuming other responsibi­lities, which will benefit the libraries, neighbourh­oods and society at large. Orientatio­n sessions will be organised by children during open days to introduce SCC’s visitors to the initiative and its goals.

The donated books will undergo a registrati­on and verificati­on process by the Centre’s Director or Deputy Director before being displayed on the ‘Wall of Giving’.

This initiative is the realisatio­n of SCC’s second edition of ‘A Better Me’ programme, which was launched during Ramadan last year to promote Islamic values and proactive social behaviour in children, and encourage them to engage constructi­vely in their society.

SCC is dedicated to developing the talents and potential of its children members by engaging them in mentoring programmes and interactiv­e workshops that help unleash their creative potential.

reporters@khaleejtim­es.com

 ??  ?? Children reading and exchanging books at one of the open-access libraries of the Sharjah Children Centres in their neighbourh­ood.
Children reading and exchanging books at one of the open-access libraries of the Sharjah Children Centres in their neighbourh­ood.

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