Usage Of Digital Reading Materials To Be Included In Next Study - PNM Deputy DG

By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- A study of Malaysians reading habit which will be conducted in 2015 will take into account the usage of digital reading materials, said National Library (PNM) deputy director-general, Siti Rodziah Othman. She said the development of digital infrastructure and information technology had made the younger generation more comfortable with reading materials in the digital version. "Digital reading materials as a preferred option was not included in the previous studies. Research then was more into the usage of the physical form of reading materials and the Internet," she told Bernama. Siti Rodziah said the questions that would be presented in the reading habit study would be revised following the entry of the new element. The study is conducted every five years by PNM with the cooperation of statistics department. In the latest study done in 2010, the reading habit among Malaysians showed a positive change whereby Malaysians read an average of eight to 12 books a year, compared to read only two books a year in 2005 study. "We hope there will be an improvement in the reading habit, in line with the government's target for each Malaysian to read at least 20 books a year," she said. -- BERNAMA