By Lisa York-Cox A spectacular new reading programme has been launched to attack Bermuda's illiteracy problem.

The scheme is the brainchild of Newspapers In Education Programme Coordinator Ron Lightbourne, librarian at the Bermuda Youth Library Marla Smith, National Library's head librarian Joanne Brangman, The Royal Gazette's circulation manager delMonte Davis, Friends of Library coordinator Mary Giordano, and Education Permanent Secretary Marion Robinson.

The scheme is designed to boost literacy in Bermuda's children, using the theme of travel as an incentive. It is aptly called "Read Around The World''.

Coordinators this month unveiled their programme.

They spoke of the need for children to read, and showed a prototype of the passport they will use.

"Read Around The World'' makes travel to exotic places the incentive to read.

"The object is to entice children to read,'' said Mr. Lightbourne. "To do this we have created the framework in the idea of travelling around the world.

We have designed passports that each traveller will have.'' He explained that the students will show these passports to a parent, teacher or guardians when they have read the stories. Parents, teachers, or guardians will then sign the passport to indicate that the child has read about the continent and has therefore travelled there.

Ms Smith said: "The Bermuda Youth Library is excited to be a partner in the N.I.E. programme. We will be providing the "Read Around The World'' programme with a recommended reading list for the students to use in selecting books about the various countries or continents.

"The reading list has been distributed to all the schools, private and public schools,'' she added. "The list comprises of both fiction and non-fiction.

We'll also be applying newspaper articles that the child will be able to read in order to meet the requirements of the programme.'' "One added attraction is the monthly celebrations,'' Mr. Lightbourne said.

The destination for the month of October is Africa.

On October 16, the country is Egypt.

"We will arrive in Egypt at 2 p.m. and depart from Egypt at 4 p.m. Each month will highlight a different country,'' he said, explaining that the students will learn about Egypt for the two-hour period.

Ms Giordano explained about her organisation as well as highlighted the specific requirements of the programme.

"Friends of Library is a non-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to support the youth and adult libraries,'' she said. "We are very excited to be a part of the `Read Around The World' programme.

"We will be sponsoring a two-hour programme that will be held once a month on Saturday afternoon for children ages nine to 14. The programme will take the children on an excursion into a different country.

"The children will have the opportunity to explore the literature, the culture, the music and the foods of that country.'' The programme will be limited to 30 children each month.

"A copy of the flyer was sent to every school so that every child could personally take home an invitation to this programme,'' said Ms Giordano.

`Read Around The World' To register for the "Read Around The World'' programme, children need to go to the library on the first of each month. Tickets for the programme are $5.

The passports are given out at no charge and can be picked up at either the Youth Library, The Royal Gazette or the school libraries.

Mr. Davis said: "Basically, we are aware of the need to increase literature skills of our young people. Nothing could be more important to all of us than the welfare and success of Bermuda's children.'' Dr. Robinson said: "This is a great opportunity to reinforce the links between schools. This type of programme encourages young people to read information about various countries.

"I think it is a great way to reinforce that link in education and foster interest in reading. We're very pleased with the initiative shown by the library in collaboration with the Newspapers In Education.'' Reading Warriors: Pictured, from left, are Education Permanent Secretary Dr.

Marion Robinson, Mary Giordano of Friends of Library, Marla Smith of the Youth Library, Newspapers In Education coordinator Ron Lightbourne, Head Librarian Joanne Brangman, and The Royal Gazette's circulation manager delMonte Davis.

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