Reading panel — Thriving as a nation of readers: Strengthening school reading communities
Kate De Goldi recently chaired a panel of speakers at the National Library. The topic was ‘Why reading for pleasure matters and why strengthening our school reading communities is so important’. Watch a recording of the event.
Skill to read more powerful when paired with the will to read
Having the skill to read is much more powerful when it’s paired with the will to read. Reading for pleasure is the foundation for full literacy. It builds vocabulary, knowledge, critical thinking and imaginative power. It also develops an understanding of self and others and contributes to wellbeing.
However, in Aotearoa New Zealand, there's a steady decline in the number of young people reading for pleasure.
Kate De Goldi at the National Library in Wellington.
The panel
The panel discussed how schools, libraries, families and whānau, and other organisations can collaborate to build reading communities that support and inspire lifelong reading for pleasure.
Facilitated by Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, Kate De Goldi, the panellists were:
Juliet Blyth, Chief Executive, ReadNZ
Shane Robinson, School Principal, Maungaraki School
Stephen Clothier, Children’s and Youth Services Coordinator, Wellington City Libraries
Sue McDowall, Senior Researcher, New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER)
Miriam Tuohy, School Library Senior Specialist, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga and National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.
Watch a recording or read the transcript
Watch on the National Library website: Thriving as a nation of readers: Strengthening school reading communities.