News
With the webinar “A Chile that reads is something we all create: a look at the national context», the Library Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities will commemorate World Book and Copyright Day.
On the other hand, the CRUCH universities will also be developing various initiatives in their respective regions of the country. Competitions, book exhibitions, talks, poetry readings, plays, film series, presentations, book donations and exchanges, discussions, and even a winter dance are among the activities planned for this month.
How to promote reading, the importance of reading to foster learning, thinking and imagination, as well as the relationship between the development of reading skills and access to better educational and employment opportunities and a better quality of life, are some of the topics that will be addressed in the webinar "A Chile that reads is something we all make: a look at the national context", organized by the Libraries and Documentation Commission (CABID) of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) within the framework of the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day.
The webinar, which will take place on April 24, will feature a presentation by Dr. Carolina Melo, who has researched the state of reading skills in Chile and what is being done to help improve them.
The president of CABID, Karen Jara, explains that this joint celebration of the libraries of the 30 CRUCH universities “is a demonstration of the importance of the date that brings us together and of the installed capacities that we make available as a commission to highlight this celebration.”.
Regarding the webinar topic, Jara, who is also the Director of Libraries at the University of Concepción, explains that "among the principles of university libraries is the connection with the community and the promotion of reading is, without a doubt, an inherent role of any library.".
It is worth remembering that World Book and Copyright Day, commemorated every April 23, is a worldwide celebration promoted by UNESCO since 1988. Its objective is to encourage reading, the publishing industry and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.
April 23rd was chosen because it coincides with the day Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died in 1616. Furthermore, the date coincides with the birth or death of other prominent authors, such as Teresa de la Parra, Maurice Druon, Haldor K. Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla, Manuel Mejía Vallejo, and William Wordsworth.
To participate in the webinar, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/EPRLb3ZizSYaVBsB9
Importance of promoting reading
Carolina Melo, the presenter of the webinar “A Chile that reads is something we all make happen: A look at the national context», has an extensive career as an academic and researcher, in addition to serving as library director of the University of the Andes.
Melo holds a PhD in Education from the University of Virginia, USA, and a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Arizona, also in the United States. For her contributions to the field of education, in 2023, she was selected by El Mercurio as one of the 100 leading women in the country.
In the webinar, Carolina Melo will review recent research on the importance of reading and the state of reading skills in Chile, as well as "what is being done to help improve this task that Chile still has to accomplish: ensuring that all children in Chile read with comprehension according to their developmental level and enjoy reading. I will also discuss the Network for a Chile that Reads.".
According to the speaker, “reading is a key to learning and knowledge; it stimulates thought and imagination. Reading skills are strongly linked to academic and life success, as studies show that those with better reading skills have access to better educational and employment opportunities, and a better quality of life. Conversely, lacking basic reading comprehension skills impacts a person's earning potential, resulting in up to 40% less income than those who are proficient readers, for example,” she adds.
Carolina Melo states that “reading skills have a direct impact on the overall learning process, both cognitively and in terms of motivation. Students who are better readers also show a higher level of commitment and motivation to their learning and are willing to persevere more with their tasks. Hence the importance of promoting reading from the earliest years of life and at all stages.”.
Regarding the role of universities, and libraries in particular, Melo argues that “universities train future professionals, and this training cannot exclude the importance of reading. In this sense, libraries are spaces that have a unique opportunity to influence their communities and have the responsibility to bring reading closer to those who visit them.”.
Other activities at CRUCH Universities
In addition to the webinar, which is being organized jointly by the 30 universities of the CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities), the institutions have planned a wide variety of activities throughout the month. These include contests, book exhibitions, talks, poetry readings, plays, film series, presentations, book donations and exchanges, discussions, and even a winter dance. See the details below:
University of Tarapacá
Activities
“Video Stories” contest, “How many books are in the box” contest, “Costume literary characters” contest, book exhibition, poetry meeting, contest awards.
More information
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DIA-DEL-LIBRO-SISTEMA-DE-BIBLIOTECA-UTA.pdf
Arturo Prat University
Activities
Second Youth and Territory Book Meeting with publishers, book presentations, plays, music, among others.
More information
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Captura-de-pantalla-2024-04-16-113821.png
Northern Catholic University
Activities
Free film series “Literary Adaptations”.
More information
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/noticia_dia_libro_UCN.pdf
Playa Ancha University
Activities
Talks, book donations, theater performances.
More information:
https://www.upla.cl/noticias/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Programacion-Mes-del-Libro_al_28_marzo.pdf
Catholic University of Valparaíso
Activities
Literary meetings, competitions, exhibitions, publisher visits, workshops, film evenings, book exchanges and tours.
More information:
https://biblioteca.pucv.cl/novedades/news-details.php?nid=119
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Activities
Book club, exhibition of book adaptations to film.
More information:
https://bibliotecas.uc.cl/noticias/2223-club-de-lectura-con-maria-jose-navia-de-que-se-trata
Metropolitan University of Education Sciences
Activities
Library in 100 words, my first book, commemorative book exhibition.
More information:
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Actividades-Dia-del-Libro-UMCE.pdf
University of Santiago, Chile
Activities
Book donation campaign, book recommendations.
More information:
Metropolitan Technological University
Activities
Talk, book fair and exhibition of magicians and comics, exhibition of basic bibliographies by career, award to the 3 best library users.
More information:
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UTEM_Actividades-culturales-abril-2024.png
University of the Andes
Activities
Report on the evolution of the book
More information:
https://www.uandes.cl/biblioteca-mes-del-libro/
O'Higgins University
Activities
Book launches “From the Bridge to Cornellana” and “Letting Go to Heal”, Talk “Illustration as a resource for mediating reading”, traveling publishing fair.
More information:
https://bibliotecas.uoh.cl/2024/04/05/mes-del-libro/
Talca University
Activities
Page Divider Design Contest
More information:
https://biblioteca.utalca.cl/concurso-diseno-dia-internacional-del-libro-y-del-derecho-de-autor/
Catholic University of Maule
Activities
“Build your library” initiative with free books for the UCT community.
More information:
https://sibib.ucm.cl/bibliotecas-ucm-regalan-libros-gracias-a-la-iniciativa-arma-tu-biblioteca-2/
University of Concepcion
Activities
Book presentations, comic book exhibition, master class on creative writing, book donation, workshop to create your own bookmark, Kamishibai storytelling, literary café, mini videos with recommendations and tips on course bibliographies, book exchange, talk about libraries and old books, winter dance, discussion and contests.
More information:
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Actividades-Mes-del-Libro-UDEC.pdf
Border University
Activities
Book swap
More information:
https://bibliotecas.ufro.cl/intercambio-de-libros-2024/
Catholic University of Temuco
Activities
Short story contest
More information:
https://consejoderectores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dia-del-Libro-UCT.pdf
University of Magallanes
Activities
Storytelling, presentations of stories, manga workshop, cultural mediation workshop “Intercultural Writings”, talk “Critical Fictions, Anthropologies, Literatures and Visualities”, cultural mediation workshop, discussion “The Hidden Letter” and Pinhole Photography workshop.
More information:
http://www.umag.cl/vcm/?p=72682
Text: CRUCH Communications
Image: CABID
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