Cao Bao Ngan of Na Dan village often goes to the village's community library with her friends. It is Ngan’s favorite place to spend the summer holidays.
"I love reading books. They teach me many interesting and useful things, and they also help me spend less time watching TV or using my phone," Ngan said.
The Na Dan village library, which has hundreds of books covering subjects from children's stories and fairy tales to life skills and science, attracts many local children.
"Our village was selected to establish this pilot community library, which provides children with a wonderful new space to discover books. It also gives them opportunities to study together and reduces the amount of time they spend using mobile phones or playing unsafe games," said Hoang Thi Uyen, Secretary of the Na Dan village Youth Union.
In mountain communities in Thai Nguyen province, community libraries are becoming popular destinations for children. In Thuong Minh commune, after helping their families or working in the fields, many students make their way to the local library to read.
"I really enjoy reading books written for teenagers and children. Through reading, I discover many new things. I hope the library will continue to add more books of different genres," said Ban Phuc Thien of Ban Lai village.
To date, all 92 communes and wards in Thai Nguyen province have established community libraries and community cultural activity centers. Each library is stocked with hundreds of books on law, life skills, healthcare, and agricultural production.
Many localities are gradually integrating digital technology into their library services. At community cultural houses or libraries in some communities, you can scan a QRcode with your smartphone to access digital learning resources. This initiative expands access to educational materials and makes reading more engaging for young people.
"We will continue to encourage organizations and individuals to donate books to community libraries. We’ll also introduce more engaging activities to spread reading culture throughout the community," said Quach Thi Thien, Secretary of the Nghien Loan communal Youth Union.
In many mountainous areas of Thai Nguyen province where infrastructure remains limited, community libraries are giving children new opportunities to read, learn, and grow.
