Registration opens for national reading competition

Registration for the much anticipated and intellectually stimulating Jamaica Library Service National Reading Competition has officially begun.

The annual competition will be executed under the theme 'Jamaica Reads: 30 years and counting', as a signal for its 30th anniversary celebration.

According to director general for the Jamaica Library Service, Maureen Thompson, this year promises to be very exciting.

Much thrill and excitement has also been buzzing about this promising event, both on social media and on the advertising airwaves.

Among supporters are renowned retired Jamaican footballer Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner and the Harbour View Football Club, as well as popular media personality Dutty Berry.

The competition will take place over a six-month period, beginning March 2018, and will see participants from all 14 parishes of Jamaica competing in various age categories.

The preliminary round of the competition will be held at participating branch libraries, school libraries and mobile stops from which winners will be selected to advance to the parish level. At this level, participants from each of the five age categories - namely 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-20 and 21 and over - are then selected as parish champions based on their understanding and knowledge of selected literature, both written and oral.

The final leg of the competition, which is the National Quiz Finals, will take place at the studios of Television Jamaica (TVJ) from which five national champions will be selected.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact their nearest public library for additional information or visit the Jamaica Library Service website or Facebook Page.

Persons can also join the movement of supporting the competition by posting photographs and videos about the importance of reading by using the hashtag "#Jamaica Reads" and tagging the Jamaica Library Service.

Registration for the National Reading Competition closes Monday, April 30, 2018.