Humanity Book and Media Club: Preserving and spreading reading culture

Just "love books" to be able to participate

The Humanities and Social Sciences Book and Media Club (abbreviation of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities Book and Media Club) was established at the end of 2014 with about 15 members, divided into 3 main committees: Content Committee, Event Committee and Communications Committee. The work of the committees is divided very specifically: Content Committee plans the content of the monthly talks, Event Committee is responsible for organizing events, Communications Committee manages the fanpage, posts articles, takes photos, and reports on events organized by the Club. The club's partner is Nha Nam Culture and Media Company.

Operating on an “open” model, the club allows students to freely participate in discussions about their favorite books, as well as not attending a session if they cannot arrange the time.

The club's regular activity is to organize thematic meetings, in which members will present and discuss a certain author or work. The criteria for selecting authors are famous names that have been ranked in literary and artistic awards such as Nobel, Goncourt as well as domestic literary awards. Before each meeting, the club consults the opinions and needs of students who have a hobby of reading books in the school, then works with Nha Nam bookstore to see if the book really attracts readers or not, then agrees on which book to choose for the talk.

Talking about how the Club operates, Bui Thi Phuong Thao (Faculty of Literature), a member of the Club's Executive Board, shared: “Anyone who is confident that they have knowledge and want to express their opinion about the book can register to present a presentation one month before each meeting. The club leader is responsible for posting information about the author and the work on social networks to promote the author and the work as well as to stimulate people's interest in learning. We often ask lecturers for comments on this information to ensure the accuracy of the knowledge."

Highlights

The students, with the enthusiastic help of the teachers in the school, also invited famous figures in the writing world to join these activities. One of them is writer Ta Duy Anh, who is known to many generations of students through the short story “The Farewell of the Dolls” in the 7th grade curriculum. Le Phan Quang Ninh (Faculty of Journalism and Communication), a member of the club, proudly boasted:“We had a great time talking to him about his work. He even gave us books and signed them for us.”

In addition, the Club also invited Associate Professor, Doctor of Art Nguyen Thi Minh Thai to participate in the talk “Discussion on how to read books”. She guided students on how to read books effectively as well as how to choose good books that are suitable for their major and field of study. She also gave the Club a book she wrote “Criticizing works of art in the press”.

During a month from March 23 to April 23, the Club, together with the Faculty of Library Information, organized the USSH Book Festival 2015 to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day on April 23. Here, students in the school participated in interesting activities such as the Week of Films Adapted from Books, the Final Night of the Book Introduction Contest held for the first time at the Faculty of Library Information, etc.

Difficulties and perseverance

The club has received praise from teachers in the school for maintaining regular activities throughout the year. Although there were sessions with only 2-3 students attending, the members were not discouraged and did not give up. Bui Bich Phuong, the club president and one of the first members of the club, confided:“In general, people think that people who love to read are bookworms, argumentative and difficult to talk to... I myself used to have difficulty introducing a book I loved to everyone to find sympathy, but thanks to the Club, it has become much easier and more interesting. I really love the Club and want to introduce it to more friends, not only to students of Humanities or VNU but also to students from other schools who share the same interest in reading.”

Reading is important and necessary for students, especially students of Humanities. With the promise that the Humanities Book Fair will become an annual event and the plan to establish a Humanities book network and a Humanities book tree, we hope that the Humanities Book and Media Club will have a more prosperous new school year. With the enthusiasm and passion of its members, the Club will certainly spread the love for books and reading culture to students in and out of school.

Club activities attract a lot of students to participate.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai is sharing with students of the Club about reading methods.

An exchange session of the Book and Humanities Communication Club with other book clubs. During these sessions, you can both share good books and get to know many new friends.

The final night of the Book Introduction Contest, part of the series of events of the 2015 Humanities Book Festival.

Organizing Team of Humanities Book Fair 2015

Not only is it of interest to students in the school, the Nhan Van Book Fair is also of interest to the press.

Bui Bich Phuong (Faculty of Journalism and Communication), club leader