Books are indispensable.
That is the story of Mr. Nguyen Duc Tang (84 years old) in Chuoi village, Le Loi commune (Gia Loc). Despite his old age, every week Mr. Tang spends 2-3 sessions at Gia Loc District Library to borrow books to read. He has almost read all the books in the library, and if there is a new book, he must borrow it. In addition, he also buys many books and newspapers from outside to read. "Every day I spend a few hours reading books, newspapers and watching the news. The information in books is different from other types of information, helping me learn a lot of life experiences," said Mr. Tang.
Mr. Tang's love for books began when he was a child. When he first started school, because of his good results, he was given a book by the school. He read it over and over again until he knew it by heart and often told his friends about it. Since then, he found books and newspapers interesting and brought many new things, so he often looked for them to read. Mr. Tang added: "Although I am old and my eyes are dim, I still like to read. In my house there are hundreds of books, from ancient times to the present. Until now, I still remember many works such as Truyen Kieu, Chinh Phu Ngam..."
Many elderly people in Hai Duong still maintain the habit of reading books, some of whom have been doing it since childhood, but others have only recently discovered this joy. Mr. Tran Duc Cam, nearly 80 years old this year, living on Nguyen Thi Due Street (Hai Duong City) said that in 2015, while he was in a nursing home, his roommate shared with him the information that books and newspapers provided, and he found it interesting so he tried reading it. "Then I was attracted to books and newspapers without realizing it. Up to now, I have maintained the habit of reading books every day. Every time I go to the library, I borrow 2-3 books, and after reading them, I change to another book," said Mr. Cam.
For Mr. Nguyen The Hung, over 60 years old, living in Hong Chau Street (Hai Duong City), if he doesn't spend a few hours reading every day, he feels like something is missing. Mr. Hung said: "Reading is like eating and drinking every day, so it is indispensable."
Serving life
The knowledge accumulated over many years of work and self-study has helped Mr. Dang Van Nhac in La Tinh area, Tu Ky town in his life. Although he has been retired for nearly 20 years, many communes and clans still ask him to write history, genealogy or make parallel sentences for communal houses. “Writing history is different from other types of books, it must be absolutely accurate. Therefore, before starting to do it, I have to read a lot. Combining it with knowledge in life, I can come to accurate conclusions,” said Mr. Nhac.
Not only do they love reading, the elderly have spread the love of reading to many relatives in the family. Mr. Nhac said that his children and grandchildren also love reading. To foster that spirit, Mr. Nhac has his own way of doing things. On holidays, New Year, birthdays or special events, he rewards them by giving books to them and reads them with them. Thanks to that, Mr. Nhac's children and grandchildren have also achieved many successes in work and study.
As for Mr. Cam, since he started reading books, his wife has also learned this habit. They share reading each book they borrow from the library. “We read and discuss the things written in the books together,” Mr. Cam said.
Ms. Le Thi Lan, an officer of Gia Loc District Library, said that currently there are many elderly people who are "regular" readers, who regularly come to the library to borrow books and read them seriously. They have made the books in the library more meaningful. They also pass on that love to others, helping the reading movement to spread widely. "The efforts of the elderly in preserving and developing the reading culture are enormous, and those of us who work in the library really appreciate it," said Ms. Lan.
THANH HASource
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