Kim Dong Publishing House on June 17 launched the first e-book libraryin Vietnam for smartphone and tablet, with the aim of promoting reading,the Nhan Dan (People) online newspaper reported.
The launch was part of activities to mark the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Kim Dong Publishing House.
The e-book service was set up by the publishing house and Vinapo Online Service Company for mobile devices internationally.
Registeredmembers can access 58 titles of books, stories and magazines in thelibrary. The number is expected to increase to over 400 after a year.
Fromnow to September 5, the e-books will be free to use, after which themembers will pay about 40,000 VND (roughly 2 USD) per month.
Each account is allowed access with up to five smartphones at the same time.
Thelibrary aims to encourage children to develop the habit of reading andcreate an opportunity for readers to approach new books.
Earlierthis year, the Prime Minister issued a decision to designate April 21 asthe Vietnam Book Day to encourage and develop reading in the community,while raising the public’s awareness of the significance of books asnot only a source of knowledge but as a way to develop one’s thought andpersonality.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism'sfigures show that the average Vietnamese reads only 0.8 books per yearfrom the library.
These figures reveal that the demand for books among the Vietnamese people was still too low, the ministry claimed.
Theobservance of the annual Vietnam Book Day is expected to contribute toraising the responsibility of ministries, sectors and socialorganisations towards the building and promotion of the reading culturein Vietnam.-VNA
The launch was part of activities to mark the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Kim Dong Publishing House.
The e-book service was set up by the publishing house and Vinapo Online Service Company for mobile devices internationally.
Registeredmembers can access 58 titles of books, stories and magazines in thelibrary. The number is expected to increase to over 400 after a year.
Fromnow to September 5, the e-books will be free to use, after which themembers will pay about 40,000 VND (roughly 2 USD) per month.
Each account is allowed access with up to five smartphones at the same time.
Thelibrary aims to encourage children to develop the habit of reading andcreate an opportunity for readers to approach new books.
Earlierthis year, the Prime Minister issued a decision to designate April 21 asthe Vietnam Book Day to encourage and develop reading in the community,while raising the public’s awareness of the significance of books asnot only a source of knowledge but as a way to develop one’s thought andpersonality.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism'sfigures show that the average Vietnamese reads only 0.8 books per yearfrom the library.
These figures reveal that the demand for books among the Vietnamese people was still too low, the ministry claimed.
Theobservance of the annual Vietnam Book Day is expected to contribute toraising the responsibility of ministries, sectors and socialorganisations towards the building and promotion of the reading culturein Vietnam.-VNA
