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▲ A student looking for a book on a self at CNU Library
 
The decline in reading books has been an issue in our society and university students seem to be included in the area. According to the University Library Statistical Analysis 2012 by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Education Research Information Service, the annual book rental of university students from university libraries in Korea was only 9.6 books per head. The fact that students do not read even 10 books in a year is quite shocking. The word “intelligent person” might not be available for university students anymore. What caused a situation like this? And why is reading so important? If it is that important, what makes students keep away from reading?
 
Why Is Reading So Important?
Reading provides you with knowledge that nourishes your mind. It also expands your ability to think and analyze deeper and increase your intellectual performance. When reading a book, you are thinking about what you read and that process will improve your ability to think. When you get to accept or think against different ideas, it makes you a reflective and creative person. The more you read the more abilities you will have. Another reason is that each book contains the different ideas of its writer and you could learn the different values of the ideas. You are exposed to various opinions while you are reading then you naturally learn that there are people who have different thoughts and it leads you to be a person who can listen to what other people are saying. You will be more flexible and flexibility is one of the important abilities in our society.
However, not every book is recommended. There are “good” and “not good” books for students. According to the Director of CNU Library, Ma Jae-suk (Professor, Dept. of Medical), students tend to read what he would call a ‘light book’ which is only good for killing time “They also have a tendency to read self-improvement books which are most likely advising books or autobiographies. It is not real reading. Shallow reading is not what they should look for.” He stressed each word he said.
 
Why Do University Students Not Read Books? 
The book rental rate of CNU Library was decreased by 26 percent in 2011 to 2012. It is a remarkable number that shows how students are indifferent to reading books. Since the youth unemployment problem is getting serious, university students are under a lot pressure to get a job after they graduate. They need to build specification also known as SPEC such as TOEIC scores, school grades, language study abroad, certified certificate exams, and many other things. Reading books seems impossible for them when they have so many things to do. Kim Bit-na-ri (Junior, Dept. of Plant Biotechnology Engineering) said, “University students do not have time to read. I have to study and do my assignments to keep my grades high and do some various outside activities such as educational service activities for middle school students. These activities are already too much of a burden for me.” “I think my grades and activities that could help me in my career are more important than reading. I know reading is important and a recommended activity for students but I do not have time for it,” said Yoo Hee-young (Sophomore, Dept. of Psychology).
Students put grades and activities as a priority so when they are done with what should come first, they do not have time and energy to read books. Besides, many students were not exposed to a reading environment when they were young. They did not have chances to practice reading and make a habit of reading. “I did not practice reading when I was young. I sometimes want to read books but it just seems awkward and I do not know what to read,” said Song Soo-in (Junior, Dept. of Chinese Lang. & Lit.)
 
CNU Offers Reading Programs for Students
To encourage CNU students to read, the university offers reading programs to students. One is called ‘Dadok-Dadok’ arranged by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Institution of Liberal Education (ILE), in which students read books and share ideas with teammates and a professor. The program started in the second semester of 2010 and usually of 100 groups, more than 400 people join the program per semester. CNU give 200,000 won funding to each group to buy books. Unlike other programs where students gather themselves and study, a professor will form a group with students and they share ideas or discuss certain topics in the book. “According to one of the professors who joined the program, she could actually see the change in her students. She told me that at first they did not seem to know what to do, but as the time went by, their speaking ability and the way they apply thoughts about books improved a lot. I want more students to join the program so more students can learn the joy of improving through reading books,” said Seo Myung-hee (Researcher of the CTL).
Another program is the ‘Reading Club’ arranged by the CNU Library. It is quite similar to Dadok-Dadok but as the program is more focused on helping students have the habit of reading it is less strict than Dadok-Dadok. When you join the program, four to five students and a professor read more than four books they want to read and discuss topics at least five times in a semester. “The library is trying to develop a reading culture among our students. We want students to realize how important and amazing it is to read books. Through the program, students will be able to communicate better with other people,” said Lim Yeo-jin (Librarian, CNU Library)
 
Students Need to Make Reading a Habit
University students are anxious about their future. They are under pressure to do many things and reading might seem like a luxury they cannot afford. However, reading books will guide you to where you want to be and affect your career positively. “I know it is not easy for students to read books especially when they are not used to reading and are busy. Just open a book and read few pages before you go to bed. You will see the remarkable difference after,” said Director Ma CNU who is willing to support students who want to read books. Besides the programs, the library upgraded the E-book system to keep up with the trend. Students can access various kinds of E-books and read anywhere they want. Also, if a book that a student is looking for is not in the library, the school will buy the book for you. All you need to do is write a request form. The university is ready and expecting students to be more active when it comes to reading. Now it is your turn to take a step. Give it a try and you will enjoy yourself when you become a better person.
 
 
By Kim Hae-In, Student Editor
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