Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

The passage below is about the benefits of setting

up a home library.

Many of us have books at home. These books can range from reference books to encyclopedias, journals, magazines or

even fiction books. However, we lack the knowledge to convert these books into a home library. The books are normally stacked
in boxes and left in the attics or storerooms to collect dust.
2

What is a home library? A home library is a little area of space in a corner of a home or even 5 a small room where we

can place all our reading materials, references and electronic resources. A home library can be turned into a cosy room of
references by the family members. Here, the family may run activities that are related to reading such as games like Scrabble,
chess, word puzzles and crossword puzzles.
3

Normally, a home library contains printed and non-printed reading materials. Materials such 10 as reading tools can

also be placed in the home library. Some examples of such reading materials are the dictionaries, atlas, encyclopedias, manuals
on bikes or cars, recipes or even telephone directories.
4

In addition, it is good to add in some light reading materials or viewing materials in the home library. There are a vast

collection of novels, picture books, magazines, family photo albums and 15 articles that can be collected by the family members
for reference. Other added collections to the home library are videotapes, cassettes, CD-ROMs, board games and even brochures.
5

Most people do not realise that having a home library is beneficial. A home library can help to foster a long-life love for

reading among family members. Children can be given the opportunity to be exposed to reading books at a young age. Indirectly,
young readers can be inculcated with the 20 love for reading. Reading can be made as one of the activities for the family
members. The parents can guide children to read books and at the same time, foster good family relationships. Children can also
be fostered to adopt a positive attitude to appreciate reading materials and knowledge that can be of value to them. In the long
run, the family members can develop their reading process. A home library enables the family members to read materials within
the confines of their own homes. 25 The materials can be easily accessed at any time. Moreover, the reading activities can be
carried out to improve the thinking skills of family members.
6

There are many activities that one can carry out in a home library. In this little library of knowledge, one can test the

family members on a skill of chess, Scrabble or the Malay strategic game called 'congkak'. In this small corner of a room, one can
also teach the family members to make 30 some handicrafts like origami. A family can also sit together to test their command of
vocabulary through Scrabble, a crossword puzzle and a list of other board games. There are also games that challenge the mind
that can be stored in this home library. One example is the 'Sahibba'.
7

To make the home library a good resource centre for family members and even friends, one example is to get the help

of the state public library management on ways to manage and run the 35 home library. Some bookshelves will be needed to
make the place presentable. Another way is to arrange the books according to the types and interests.

It is easy to set up a home library. Get your home organised and have a corner of your room or even a special room to

get this place started. You may be surprised that your family members will actually need such a room.