‘The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest men of past centuries’ – Rene Descartes. Reading makes people smarter. Even when we were in middle and high school, we would have read many books and thought a lot. However, since university life started, many temptations have forced us to move away from books. Feeling a sense of problem with the lifestyle of CAU students, Chung-Ang University's Central Library started to run a special site called ‘Jung-dok’ to encourage students to read book. ‘Jung-dok’ offers two main types of reading programs, each with different attractions. Let’s now take a closer look at the reading programs on offer at 'Jung-dok'.
1. ‘Reading Community’
'Reading Community' is a program that consists of seven or more students. They select a book, read it, and have a debate about it. The book selection and content of the debate should be determined autonomously by the community and should be uploaded online at least once a month. In addition, the Central Library offers commendations and awards to outstanding communities and members in order to encourage community activities. Through the community we can read books that are usually hard to read and share a variety of ideas with members.
2. Reading 40 Humanities books
"Reading 40 Humanities books" is a reading program for undergraduate and graduate students that aims to steadily explore reading books in the humanities field until graduation so as to build up their humanities skills and character. We can read more than 40 humanities books selected by CAU until graduation and write a book review on the site. When we complete this program successfully, CAU’s Central Library issues a reading portfolio, which can be used for various types of applications such as interviews and self-introduction in the course of employment. In addition, the school provides various incentives for awarding commendations and scholarships based on the performance of excellent review and reading activities.
3. Promotion of library events
The site not only runs its own online program but also promotes various reading programs that are conducted offline by the central library.
All-night reading event - The all-night reading event is event that the library runs all-night.
We can choose a book we want to read and post what we've read overnight in the form of a book review. In addition, we can promote the book we've read and share our thoughts with others.
Conversation with the author – inviting best-selling and steady-selling authors to explain their books and have a conversation.
Reading Debate Contest – With a catch phrase 'Reading Worth Spreading', this is a contest to introduce implications and feelings of books that readers have interpreted on their own. The audience can be motivated to read the book through the presentation, while improving the participants' speaking.
Special Lecture on Creative Literature- An event that invites humanities-related celebrities to take time for special lectures to enhance students' creativity.
How many books have you read this year? Some students may not have read even one book properly, let alone 5 or 10 books. We can read by ourselves when we read a book. Why don't you read a book again during this vacation? ‘Jung-dok’ will once again help you to stoke your passion for books. So far, we have learned about Chung-Ang University's reading program site, 'Jung-dok'. We, CAH, hope that this site would benefit the ability of students during the vacation.