Sharjah residents love to read when given a library: Survey

Sharjah - Those in the age group of 18-39 years were more interested in reading compared to those aged 50 years and above.

Over 61 per cent of Sharjah residents having access to a Knowledge Without Borders (KWB) home library spend their free time reading, a survey has found. Over 60 per cent of the respondents believed reading had a strong influence on them.
The survey conducted by the KWB, a Sharjah-based project that gives free books to nationals, found that 64 per cent of those having access to its books read intermittently, while 18 per cent read regularly and the rest don't read at all. About 11 per cent of this category of respondents cited lack of time as the reason they don't read.
The survey aimed to measure the reading levels among Sharjah residents and to determine how many people benefited from the home library donated to them by the KWB.
In contrast, of the respondents who do not have access to the KWB library, 43 per cent don't read at all; 48 per cent read sporadically; and only 8 per cent read regularly. In this category of respondents, 59 per cent of the men and 53 per cent of the women read. Over 60 per cent respondents cited lack of time as the reason for not reading. A little over 58 per cent acknowledged they had no passion for reading.
Those in the age group of 18-39 years were more interested in reading compared to those aged 50 years and above.
The survey was conducted in line with the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to assess the impact of the KWB project.
The project was implemented in cooperation with the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development.
Rashid Al Kous, general manager of the KWB, said, "The study recommended the need to focus on developing reading skills and promoting awareness about the importance of reading (among those) under the age of 13 years. The study also advised that short stories ... that do not need a long time to read should be provided. Books that could be read on the go were also requested as well as the means to share works via social networking sites."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah International Book Fair
• Sharjah