Village chief sets up free library to serve people
(Baonghean.vn) - In Hop Thanh hamlet, Tam Hop commune (Quy Hop), there is a small library that has become a destination for most people in the hamlet.
We went to the Hop Thanh hamlet cultural house one afternoon and asked about the free library in hamlet 135 of Tam Hop commune. Everyone knew about it, because it was a familiar destination for farmers, especially students in the hamlet. It was the only “library” in the poor hamlet, founded by the hamlet chief Nguyen Tat Hai, who is over 60 years old this year.
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| Mr. Hai's joy is to collect and add more books every day. Photo: Phan Giang |
It is known that, born into a large family, his studies had to stop halfway, however, Mr. Hai had a passion for reading. As the village chief, he himself wished that in the poorest village of Quy Hop district, there would be a library to serve the people every day. Therefore, in December 2015, when the Hop Thanh village cultural house was put into use, it was also the time when Mr. Hai realized that wish.
To get books and newspapers, along with begging in the area, Mr. Hai went to the Quy Hop district library and Nghe An provincial library to ask for old books. From understanding his work, the first time he collected 200 books of all kinds, in addition, the Quy Hop district police also supported him with a bookshelf.
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| Mr. Hai's library has become a destination for all ages in the area. Photo: Phan Giang |
From the initial premise, after nearly 3 years of operation, the “library” of the poor hamlet of Hop Thanh now has nearly 500 books and newspapers in many fields. This place is not only a place for students to go after school, but also a familiar place for farmers in the hamlet.
According to Ms. Ho Thi Nguyet, a resident, Mr. Hai's library not only provides books for agricultural production, legal knowledge, etc., but is also really useful for students. For example, my family, my son and his wife work far away, leaving me to raise and educate 3 grandchildren, so thanks to Mr. Hai's bookshelf, the children have the opportunity to read and refer to many types of books for their studies.
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| Not only reading on the spot, Mr. Hai also lets the children borrow books to read at home. Photo: Phan Giang |
Talking about his work, Mr. Hai said: "My daily joy is seeing the children come here after school to read books. I hope that these books will help them in their studies. In addition, farmers will also have access to more knowledge related to farming and animal husbandry to develop the economy and escape poverty...".
Because he sees it as a joy, as well as part of his responsibility, every day, not only busy with the responsibilities of a hamlet chief, Mr. Hai spends a lot of time finding and rearranging books, carefully taking care of them, checking notebooks and setting up tables and chairs to welcome students and people in the area.