WITH the variety of challenges going viral on social media, National Book Store (NBS) decided to ride the trend for a cause. In time for its 75th year, NBS has promised to build one library in an indigent community for every 75 videos posted online as part of its Read Out Loud Challenge.
The campaign, launched on March 21, will run for three months. NBS hopes to reach its target of 7,500 videos to be able to build 100 libraries nationwide.
The rules are simple: One has to post a video reading an excerpt from a favorite book out loud, and challenge three other people to do it. The video must be uploaded to either Facebook or Instagram with a hashtag #ReadOutLoudChallenge and tag National Book Store’s social media handles (@nbsalert).
“We wanted to create a buzz about reading and for people to spread the love for reading and have fun while doing so,” NBS managing director Xandra Ramos-Padilla said during the launch at NBS Glorietta 1, Makati City.
She said NBS will be allotting P100,000 per library and will be donating at least 1,000 books per school, consisting mostly of local titles and children’s books.
Schools hoping to be recipients of the library are asked to send in request letter, and NBS chooses the schools to grant a library depending need and its readiness to maintain the library.
There will also be a special project with best-selling international author Mitch Albom which will build libraries in Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas including Leyte, Samar, Cebu, and Ormoc.
As of April 19, the NBS Facebook page stated that 1,494 videos had been posted online including several by celebrities, authors, and social media influencers. NBS founder and literacy advocate Socorro “Nanay Coring” Ramos also has an entry which has her reading a passage from Yvette Fernandez’s book Nanay Coring: The Story of National Book Store’s Socorro Ramos.
“It is more than just celebrating the 75th year of NBS. But since it coincides with the anniversary, why not? The more people celebrating, the better,” Ms. Padilla said.
While the Read Out Loud Challenge is part of Project Aklat, the NBS Foundation also launched the 8th year of Project Aral on April 7 at all NBS branches nationwide. The project aims to visit and help over 150 communities which lack basic school necessities.
For more details, visit the National Book Store blog, http://blog.nationalbookstore.com and follow NBS on social media, @nbsalert on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. — Camille Anne M. Arcilla
