‘A Nightless Book Trip to the Library on an Autumn Night’ The 1st All-Night Reading Held
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2015-12-09
The event was a part of the library’s reading campaign, “Opening Sookmyung’s Future with Books”. The library announced that this event was planned to provide various educational experience opportunities and share the enjoyment of reading to students who find reading gets shifted from their priorities and those who feel the need for a reading companion. Director Kim Sooyeon of Academic Information Services who hosted this event said, “During the application process which was a first come, first served basis, more than one hundred applicants applied, proving its popularity.”
The event began with the lecture of Professor Kwon Sungwoo from Division of Korean Language and Literature at 7p.m. on the 12th at the CC plaza located on the 5th floor of the library. Introducing the importance of reading books and the correct way of reading under the topic of “Happy Reading, Fascinating Books”, Professor Kwon said, “Don’t start off with books dealing with difficult topics. Choose books that interest you,” and recommended A Book is a Hatchet by Park Woonghyun, Reading of the Youth by Yoo Simin, Wish You Luck by Kim Eojun, and more.
In the orientation after the lecture, President Sun Hye Hwang, and Director Oh Kyeongmuk delivered congratulatory speeches, followed by a notice for the students and a commemorative photograph session. “These days, most of the university students are concerned about employment and specifications. But with this event, I hope you realize that reading is indeed an activity through which you can strengthen your own value and capacities,” said President Hwang, encouraging the students.
Starting from 9:30, the students chose one of the 100 recommended books selected by major Korean universities and organizations and Newsweek’s World Literature Masterpieces and comfortably cuddled into a cozy seat and plunged into reading. As the night got deeper, although there were a few students who could not stop themselves from nodding their heads to sleep from time to time, most of the participants were engrossed in their reading.
During the midnight passing from the 12th to the 13th, there was a break time with a treasure hunt quiz within books along with an audio book listening program, served with snacks. After a short break, the participants finished their night-long reading until 5 in the morning without stopping.
Students who made it through the night finally received certificates for the 1st All-night Reading after they wrote comments online and drew ‘reading graffiti’ to express how they felt about the event. The eastern sky outside seen from the library window was slowly turning into dawn.
“Many students do not have the time to read a book due to studying or employment preparation, the increased use of smart devices, and the surge of electronic materials usage. Therefore, we plan to regularize this event to create self-directed reading culture that can foster sophistication and upright personality” said Director Oh Kyeong-mook of the Main Library.
Translation by Sookmyung Interpretation Volunteers