Zimeena Rasheed of the Anna Regina Library gained 94% in the 12-14 age group resulting in that library emerging the overall winner in the recently-concluded Champion Readers Competition launched by the National Library on April 4.
In the 18-25 age group, Mellissa Benjamin of the Bagotville Library clinched the first place gaining 83% while Dominic Park of the Central Library was first with 81% in the 15-17 age group.
Rasheed who secured the first place in the entire competition was awarded $50,000 along with a trip to a local tourist destination, a trophy and a book.
Those gaining second place were awarded $30,000 along with a trophy and a book; while contestants who placed third were awarded $20,000 along with a trophy and book.
Participants achieving 75% and over in the competition received honourable mention.
The four-month competition saw some 53 individuals advancing from the preliminary rounds to the finals which ended at the Central Library on Friday last.
The competition catered for contestants in the 12-14, 15-17 and 18-25 categories from the Central Library and the branch libraries which include Ruimveldt, New Amsterdam, Linden, Corriverton, Bagotville and Anna Regina.
Two books were selected to be read in each category of the contest. The books were selected by a panel of judges appointed for the competition.
One week was allotted to each book, and participants were given a two-week period in which to read their respective books before being given both oral and written assessments on them. The books were taken from the collection of the Central Library and the branch libraries.
The library in a press release had said that its objectives were to encourage reading as a stimulating pastime among children and youth; stimulate a thirst for information through the printed medium; nurture a life-long love for reading; develop the participants’ reading and comprehension skills and assist in the promotion of literacy in Guyana.
There were 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.
