The Delft Library introduced gaming as an option for the youth and they have seen a rise in children joining up and taking books home to read.
Delft, South Africa (02 February 2023) – The Delft Library brought in three PlayStations to shake things up in the community and it has worked. They introduced the gaming consoles to the youth for use on the condition that each child takes out a library card and reads books from the library, at home.
The library has become a popular hangout now says the Manager Ashley Lewis. Speaking to SABC News Western Cape, Lewis explained that even with the children signing up and reading books, they also need to do their homework before gaming can begin. They have access to all the resources needed to get their homework done at the library so it is a win-win.
When the initiative was first launched, they have four children take part; Now, that number has jumped to twenty-five.
“So, what I try to think of what our children are struggling with, it’s the reading and the homework. So, let’s attach that to the gaming and give them the motivation by doing homework you get a chance of playing the game by reading a book you get a chance of playing the game and the game is a motivation for them. And now, I know I am working towards getting our children literate.” – Ashely Lewis
He had no idea how much the PlayStations would shift things at the library and today, Lewis says, they have 100 children who take part.
Each child gets 15 minutes of play time on one of the three consoles before they are then required to sit and read, giving other children a chance to play. Then when it is their turn again, they dash off to play. On the whole, these children are now spending their time outside of school, in the safety of the library and not on the streets, which may be the biggest win of all!
With the initiative doing so well in just a few weeks, Lewis hopes to see it rolled out to other libraries around South Africa.
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