Reading, inclusion, and outreach

an experience report of the “More reading for ALL” initiative in the development of spaces for book access and exchange

Abstract

This paper presents the experience report and outcomes of the outreach project “More reading for ALL,” developed at the Federal University of the Pampa, Caçapava do Sul Campus, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The project aimed to encourage reading habits among both the academic community and the broader population of Caçapava do Sul, fostering critical readers and supporting an ongoing process of intellectual self-construction. To this end, a bookshelf was installed in the campus lobby, providing voluntary access to books on a wide range of subjects. The initiative created a permanent book-exchange system, promoted a culture of reading, and helped revive the pleasure of reading, all of which are essential for social emancipation and the promotion of citizenship. A total of 327 textbooks and literary works, 50 specialized magazines, and 3 Compact Discs of Brazilian popular music, popularly known as CD. Approximately 500 individuals, aged 10 to 63 years, benefited from the project. The experience stimulated interest in reading, broadened access to knowledge, cultures, and different perspectives, enriched participants’ understanding of the world, and encouraged critical reflection, contributing to the development of culturally empowered citizens.