The National Library of Malaysia (PNM) is stepping up efforts to foster a reading culture and enhance information literacy through various nationwide initiatives.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Library of Malaysia (PNM) will step up efforts to promote a reading culture by strengthening collaboration with state public libraries, educational institutions, government agencies, the publishing industry and local communities following the declaration of October as Reading Month.
PNM director-general Edy Irwan Zukafli said the announcement by the National Unity Minister would provide fresh impetus for the library to adopt a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to reaching different segments of society.
He said the efforts were aimed not only at encouraging reading habits but also at strengthening information literacy, critical thinking and the public’s ability to access, evaluate and use information effectively and responsibly.
“PNM believes that reading should be nurtured as a lifelong habit, beginning at home, reinforced through education and sustained within the community,” he told Bernama in conjunction with Media and Information Literacy Week 2026 here today.
He said the programmes lined up throughout October covered literacy development, literary appreciation, creativity, technology and the preservation of knowledge and heritage, offering activities beyond conventional reading to encourage wider public participation.
Among the programmes held were the National Digital Library Seminar on Oct 1 and 2, Ceritaku@Sekolah on Oct 5 and 6, the Citra Penulis Carnival from Oct 8 to 10 and the Sehari Bersama Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) programme on Oct 15.
Other events include Media and Information Literacy Week on Oct 24 and 25, followed by the Kalam Karyawan programme scheduled for Oct 29.
Media and Information Literacy Week attracted 2,307 visitors on its first day, featuring activities covering cybersecurity, academic writing, artificial intelligence (AI), Jawi script, environmental sustainability, chess and mathematics.
“Being technologically literate alone is not enough. People must also be information literate, think critically and be aware of cybersecurity risks,” he said.
To improve access to information, Edy Irwan said PNM had also organised basic Braille and sign language workshops, along with talks and interactive sessions on autism, aimed at raising public awareness and understanding of the learning, communication and information access needs of persons with disabilities.
PNM has also introduced an Information Literacy Module e-book at basic, intermediate and advanced levels to cater to users with different levels of proficiency.
As part of its continuing Reading Month activities, he said PNM, in collaboration with the Melaka Public Library Corporation (PERPUSTAM), would organise the Karnival Membaca Perdana and Melaka Book Fair 2026 at The Shore Shopping Gallery in Melaka from Oct 29 to Nov 1, from 10 am to 10 pm daily.
The carnival will feature book exhibitions and sales, a meet-and-greet session with novelist Ramlee Awang Murshid and a Malaysian Book Characters Fan Art activity with author Mimi Salleh.
Visitors can also look forward to e-sports, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) experiences and educational entertainment activities for families.
The event will also feature the prize presentation for the national-level Family Reading Corner Competition 2026, which saw 32 representatives from 13 states qualify for the finals in three categories — landed homes, high-rise residences and village houses.
“This initiative shows that a reading culture begins at home. A family reading corner can serve as a space for sharing knowledge, strengthening bonds between generations and fostering a lifelong love of reading,” he said.
Edy Irwan encouraged the public, particularly those in Melaka and neighbouring states, to visit the carnival with their families and follow PNM’s official social media channels for the latest updates on its programmes and services.