The Sharjah Public Library (SPL) is celebrating UAE Reading Month with a series of events throughout March to encourage reading as a daily activity in the younger generations. SPL's programme includes diverse edutainment activities including Book Camps, reading and discussion sessions, and meet-and-greets with authors who will share their journeys and expertise with the young audience. Additionally, SPL will organise library tours for participants to discover unique titles between the shelves.

Books under the spotlight
On Sunday, March 3, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, SPL will host an English-language reading session titled 'Books under the spotlight', hosting author Nicole Plumridge, whose literary journey is nothing short of inspiring. In the session, she will share her experiences in writing her debut novel, The Healing House, and discuss the story behind her website, which showcases her literary works.

Book Camp: A Literary Exploration at SPL Branches
The exciting Book Camp will be held across SPL branches throughout March, from Monday to Thursday, offering teenagers aged 14-18 an opportunity to explore the world of literature through an immersive experience. The camp includes inspiring and enjoyable activities from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The camp will kick off on Monday, 4th March, with an ice-breaking session where the young attendees will network with their peers. It will be followed by a Library Tour and book selection, where the readers will explore the library and choose a book that suits their tastes with the assistance of library guides.

Participants will engage in a lively book selection group discussion, where they will discuss reading preferences, share favourite genres, discuss favoured authors, and explore the latest literary trends. They will also engage in a Book-themed Craft Activity, where participants will tap into their creativity to craft bookmarks, create literary-inspired artwork, and design book covers.

Discovering Literary Skills
Tuesday, 5th March, will feature a storytelling activity, including an interactive session about the power of imagination in an activity titled ‘Introduction to Literary Elements’ to help youths master literary elements such as plot, characters, setting, and more. It will be followed by a ‘Group Reading of a Short Story or Passage’, which provides a platform to share insights, interpretations, and feelings about the chosen piece.

Poem Creative Writing Workshop: Unlock your poetic potential in this creative writing workshop focused on poetry. Explore various poetic forms, experiment with expressive language, and engage in hands-on writing exercises. This workshop encourages self-expression through the art of poetry. It will be followed by an engaging ‘Poetry Writing Workshop’ to bolster the poetic potential among the youth.

Book Hunt
On the third day of the camp, participants will be introduced to a wide array of literary genres during the ‘Introduction to Different Literary Genres’. They will embark on a Book Hunt to uncover genre-specific treasures within the library and engage in a ‘Creative Group Activity’ inspired by literary themes to ignite participants' imagination and creativity.

Edutainment Activities
Thursday, 7th March, the last day of the camp, focuses on creative expression through literature. The day starts with ‘Blackout Stories’, an individual activity where participants use markers to blackout words on a page, leaving a unique poetic composition. This is followed by a group activity named ‘Random Words,’ where participants create an impromptu story by selecting and passing words randomly chosen from a book, highlighting the group's creative synergy. The day concludes with a "Fabric Book Covers Workshop," merging fashion and literature by crafting stylish, interchangeable fabric book covers.

On 10th March, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Khorfakkan branch will organise ‘Books under the spotlight’, which will highlight the journey of Emirati author Abdullah Al Nuaimi, famed for works like Espresso and Moonlight. Participants have the opportunity to converse with him in a live Q&A session.