I want to talk about books. Why? Today in New Zealand, we have been celebrating World Book Day; well at least some of us have. This is a global event to promote and encourage reading, publishing, and books in general.
It’s a great day for a bibliophile. We get to discuss our favourite books, as well as to emphasise the importance of reading.
Now I could do something predictable and list my favourite books through different genres; like the dictionary. I bet you can’t wait for that one!
I could also discuss what reading means to me and the importance of it, but that’s too easy. As tempting as it is to choose one of these amazing options; it would be like being involved in a movie marathon, where you have to choose between the original Star Wars trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. What is a geek supposed to do?
But before I could do any of that, I have to put my hand up and acknowledge something. I am a straight white male, living in a country that is 21st in the world for GDP per Capita, and 15th in the Human Developmental Index.
I understand that if I was born in a different country, or at a different time, it is entirely possible that books would be an unknown or rare commodity to me, or at least learning how to read would be an ability that would not be available to me.
So in fairness, and as much as I like World Book Day and believe in its importance and relevancy, I have to ask the question: Does everybody in the world celebrate World Book Day? Realistically, the answer is no.
Sometimes I feel people take reading for granted because they have access to books; whether through school or public libraries, and bookstores. You can purchase any book from anywhere in the world and have it delivered to you, though the cost of postage could be the same as the national debt of a small country.
The issue is that a lot of people in the world don’t have access to books, or they can’t read. Over the years, world literacy rates have been rising. To the best of my knowledge, which quite frankly isn’t that great, New Zealand sits at 99%, which is pretty good. There are even higher literacy rates in Western Europe and Central Asia, which hit 100%, which to me is phenomenal.
So just like with nearly everything, if you have Salt and Vinegar chips, the opposite will exist. I don’t really need to remind you about Sour Cream and Chives, do I?
There are at least 10 countries in the world, where the literacy rate for the population is under 44%. The bottom three are South Sudan 34.52%, Guinea 32% and Chad 22.31%.
There is a staggering 781 million people that cannot read or write in the world, with over 60% of them being female. Different factors that can contribute to this problem are poverty, religion, but also the geopolitical climate of the country.
So you’re probably thinking, “Ok Scott, do you even have a point?”
For me, the concept that somewhere in this world, a child will not have access to picture books in their native language, is difficult to understand and accept. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we don’t have to accept it. I don’t know how to solve this problem, but you have to start somewhere, right?
I’ve been thinking about this, and I’ve come to two conclusions about what we can do about it.
To address literacy rates, whether at local, national, or international levels, I think it comes down to two things; which are essentially the same thing: we have to give. We have to give either books or money.
I know I’m not an expert, but I think everybody can help:
- Cull some novels from your collection and donate to charities.
- Cull some picture books from your collection, and donate them to some early childhood centres.
- If you buy a book, donate a book.
- Become a member of your local library and enrol your children.
- If possible, volunteer in your local community with a organisation that promotes literacy.
- Donate money to a group or organisation that promotes literacy.
There are many different international groups and organisations that specialse in promoting literacy. These can include:
- World Literacy Foundation
- Book Aid International
- Literacy for Incarcerated Teens
- Books for Africa
- Reading is Fundamental
- First Book
- Worldreader
- Duffy Books
- Room to Read
- Imagination Library
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation
- Behind the Book
- All Children Reading
- ProLiteracy
- Children’s Literacy Initiative
- Reading Out of Poverty
- Read International
- The Book Bus
There are also many more hardworking groups and organisations around the world, that are helping to promote literacy; whether with adults or children. Please help pass on your love of reading to someone else.
“What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years.
Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs.
Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.”
-Carl Sagan.
And with that, I’m done with another ridiculous blog. Thanks once again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. Remember to walk your dog; read a banned book; stay away from yellow snow; and I’ll see you next week.
SOME GEEK TOLD ME 
You must be logged in to post a comment.