Tuesday 10th November, workshop, day 2.

We continue to make good progress today and have time to look at the lack of a reading culture in Puntland. With virtually no local publishing, a reliance on a limited supply of donated books, few libraries, and a predominantly oral and nomadic culture, it is not surprising that the reading culture here is not strong. We look at ways that librarians can start to address this situation and it is suggested that we need to raise awareness in the community that reading changes lives. Reading promotion will be something new here, and I hope the librarians take up my suggestions to start running reading activities and events on days such as World Book Day and on a more regular basis. Tomorrow, as part of the workshop, we visit the one public library in Puntland.