Media Release
Professor Glyn Davis Endorses State Library Boys Reading Program
10 October 2008
Professor Glyn Davis, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, has lent his support to a State Library of Victoria program bringing together schools, families and libraries to aid teen literacy and foster a reading culture for boys.
Launching the Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes program last night, Professor Davis criticised the so-called 'literacy wars' and enthusiastically endorsed the new program as a sensible, balanced and effective approach to the issue of teen literacy.
He said that the program showed that the 'literacy wars' are unnecessary.
'There is a lot of passion on either side of the literacy debate,' he said. 'But this program reveals important thoughts about cultural literacy and the basic skills of reading. The result is a well-designed program to get boys reading and to enjoy reading.'
Developed by the State Library of Victoria’s Centre for Youth Literature, Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes partners schools with the public libraries to run a series of hands–on reading and book related activities for boys and their families. The activities reflect the spirit and style of learning that appeals to boys. The program encourages fathers or significant male role models to lead by example and get involved in reading and sharing stories with their boys.
Recognising a high level of computer use in adolescent boys, the program incorporates a blog to assist in creating a network of readers across the state.
The State Library of Victoria will send a Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes program toolkit to every school and public library in Victoria. Sue Hamilton, acting CEO and State Librarian hopes that many schools and libraries will support the program in their communities.
'Reading for pleasure is one of the best things for a child’s learning development. Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes creates an environment which makes reading interesting and a normal part of adolescent life. By working together, schools, libraries, families and their communities can make a huge difference in a child's future.
'Reading is empowering and life changing. That is why this program is so important. In the past two years we have run this program in pilot form in Melton and Drouin with wonderful results. Now, through the toolkit, it is available across the state and we hope these successes will be repeated on a much broader scale,' Ms Hamilton said.
The Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes toolkit is available for download from the Library's website.
Schools, libraries and interested community groups should contact program coordinator Erin Ritchie on 03 8664 7281 or eritchie@slv.vic.gov.au for more information.
Media inquires
Matthew van Hasselt
Media relations coordinator
State Library of Victoria
Ph: 03 8664 7263
Email: mvanhasselt@slv.vic.gov.au
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