The National Library on Wednesday launched its four-month Champion Readers Competi-tion.
In a press release, the library said its objectives are to encourage reading as a stimulating pastime among children and youth; stimulate a thirst for information through the printed medium; nurture a lifelong love for reading; develop the participants reading and comprehension skills and assist in the promotion of literacy in Guyana.
The contest is being held for readers from ages 12-14, 15-17 and 18-20 years old and participants are expected to come from the central and branch libraries. It is being structured in the following format: seven preliminary rounds at the branch libraries in round one; three semi-finals at the New Amsterdam, Linden and Bagotville branches in round two and one final round at the central library.
The library said each round will comprise an oral and written segment where participants will be required to read two books. They will then have to read a selected passage from one of the two books aloud and answer in writing, questions set on each. The winners of each round will then have to read two more books, bringing the total number to six. The best six readers in each category in the preliminary rounds will proceed to the semi-final round, which will have a total of 42 participants.
Three semi-final rounds will be hosted with 14 participants each. The best six from each semi-final will advance to the finals which will have a total of 18 participants. Three winners will be selected from the finals. The library said, too, the books for each category will be selected by a committee who will read them then set the questions. The judges are also expected to read the books.
Reading for the preliminary rounds will start on April 27. A period of two weeks will be given for the reading then the preliminary round will start on May 14 (oral) and May 15 (written). Reading for the semi-final will start on May 25, with the oral and written rounds on June 11 and 12. Further, reading for the final will start on July 20 and the oral and written rounds will be held on August 6 and 7.
There will be three judges per category. Branches will select judges for the preliminary rounds. For the semi-final, one judge for each category will be selected from the panel of judges from the central library. The panel of judges from the central library will also arbitrate the finals.
According to the release, all participants must be members of the National Library. Registration for juveniles entail filling out an application card that must be signed by parents, guarantors or head teachers. Adults must produce a valid passport or national identification card. In the absence of either of these adult participants must produce a valid passport or ID card of their parents, guardian or a family member to register.
All outstanding books must be returned to the library and the books for the contest must be returned on the stipulated date. Failure to do so will result in disqualification, the release said.
