October 3, 2005

Private Library in Brazil, Owned by Illiterate

Here is a link to a very inspiring story in the LA Times about an illiterate Brazilian man who runs a private library out of his home.

There are some interesting statistics in the story as well. For example:

The average American reads five books a year, as does the average Briton. In literary-minded France, that number rises to seven. In Brazil, it's fewer than two.

The reason given for this is as follows:

Brazilians are handicapped by lack of access. Government officials say that nearly 1,000 of the country's 5,500 municipalities have no public library. Buying a book is even less of an option.

I remember going towntown in the city of Crato (located in the northeastern state of Ceará) and seeing a building called the biblioteca municipal, or public library. Upon further investigation, I discovered that it contained no books.

In my wife's hometown of São Luís, there is a beautiful old library, that actually contains books. However, the last time I was there, it was in a state of great disrepair.

Perhaps there is something I can do when we get to Brazil to encourage literacy. I will definitely try. After all, if people cannot read, how are they going to be able to study the greatest Book ever written, and know the eternal truths found therein?

In the meantime, you have to admire this guy who gives the gift of reading to his community.

Posted by Andrew on October 3, 2005 9:55 AM.