There's just so much benefit that comes from reading, but unfortunately, Malaysians are not generally known as big readers.

However, DBKL plans to change that with their new initiative.

Plans to install book kiosks

In the hope of instilling reading habit among Malaysians, the City Hall is hoping to build 600 book kiosks around the city, The Star reported.

So far, 60 kiosks have already been built in Dataran DBKL, Jalan Ampang, Tiong Nam, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Bunus 6, Jalan Masjid India, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Masjid Jamek, Sultan Abdul Samad building, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Panggung, MRT Pasar Seni, Dataran Medan Pasar, Jalan Cenderasari, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and more.

Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan reportedly said that the kiosk were first planned when Malaysia was named the World Book Capital 2020 by UNESCO, but he hopes that the project will get traction beyond the year.

What a delightful idea!
"There is so much that we can gain from books but sadly, some do not have access to physical or even e-books.

“These kiosks can become a starting point for someone to pick up a book, ” he told the English daily.

According to the report, a total of RM750,000 has been allocated for the project, with the cost for each kiosk estimated to be between RM5,000 and RM12,000.

The mayor had also expressed his hope that individuals and corporations will come forward to help make the plan a reality by either donating books or money.

Sounds like an amazing idea, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, we can never have good things because some people decide to be destructive. Like the people who vandalised some of the kiosks already in place.

Why can't we appreciate good things?

Despite the destruction, the project is still on so let's hope no repeat of such incidents in the future.

KL now has moving libraries

The moving libraries are set to tour low cost apartments and some housing areas
Nor Hisham made the announcement at the launch of Kuala Lumpur Library's Moving Library services.

The moving libraries are refurbished busses — four in total, he revealed — which will be stationed at selected housing areas and low cost apartments in the city.

Each bus will have about 1,500 books in them and trained staff to handle the books and help customers download e-books.

The libraries will be opened Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Let's hope we Malaysians will pick up reading, all thanks to DBKL's efforts.