A lack of public discourse about reading has made reading a low priority in classrooms, homes, and communities across Pakistan. The Pakistan Reading Project is engaging Pakistani organizations to develop and lead projects aimed at piloting and scaling-up effective models to stimulate reading, introduce additional reading materials at the community level, and support research related to reading acquisition and correlating factors. The project is encouraging communities to spearhead increased interest and opportunities for everyone to participate in reading through community engagement campaigns, media advocacy campaigns and the small grants program.

Community Libraries

The Pakistan Reading Project will establish 300 new community libraries across Pakistan. Local community based organizations, parent teacher associations, school management committees, student groups, low cost private education institutes and other education-focused stakeholder groups will be encouraged to play an active role in re-establishing a reading culture in their respective communities by volunteering and providing a suitable space for setting-up these libraries. These libraries will provide local marginalized communities an opportunity to read quality books to improve their reading skills.

Mobile Bus Libraries

The Pakistan Reading Project will run mobile bus libraries in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) that will visit communities to conduct storytelling sessions and distribute Pakistan Reading Project’s reading materials. Each bus will carry government-approved books (in English and Urdu) that will cater to the interests of both children and adults.