On the morning of April 19, the 2011 "Hand in Hand—A Reading Movement among Rural Youth" Award Ceremony and Launch Ceremony for 2012 was held at the Open University of China (OUC). 44 provincial radio and TV universities around the country participated in the meeting via video conferencing or software networking. The "Hand in Hand" movement was initiated by the Library Association of China and the Open University of China to promote reading among youths in rural areas. Since the launch of the movement

two years ago, more than 140 "CRTVU Book Rooms" have been built in low-income primary and secondary schools in 28 provinces/cities in China.

An initiative called "Offer a Helping Hand for the Future of China—Book Donation for the Hand in Hand Movement" was proposed at the meeting, appealing to kind-hearted people from all walks of life to reach out to children in rural areas who are in need of good books.

Yang Peichao, vice chairman of the Library Association of China, pointed out that the movement targets rural areas and helps more young people experience the joy of reading. He hoped that "like single sparks starting a prairie fire", many more book rooms would be built all over the countryside.

Ruan Zhiyong, vice president of the OUC, said that in 2012 the Library Association of China and the Open University of China would organize reading, calligraphy, drawing, photography, and writing competitions for rural youths, and expand the selection of "reading demonstration sites".

At the meeting, OUC Party Committee Deputy Secretary Zhang Hui announced the top reading demonstration sites and winners of the book report competition for 2011. Nine reading demonstration sites were selected for excellence and five organizations were honored as the best organizers in the book report competition. A total of 255 persons won first, second, third prizes or honorable mentions in the book report competition. The meeting included an award ceremony to honor the recipients.

Zhang Ruiling, curator of the OUC library, said that in the past two years, more than 140 "CRTVU Book Rooms" were built in primary and middle schools in the most remote and financially constrained rural areas. This achievement was made possible by the support from leaders of RTVUs around the country, the publicity, planning and organization by related departments and staff, sponsorship from far-sighted and conscientious individuals in all sectors of society as well as the efforts of all colleagues over the past two years. Looking forward, the OUC and the Library Association of China would continue the construction of "CRTVU Book Rooms" for youths in rural areas, providing the resources and equipment needed to create a favorable environment and atmosphere for reading.

"Hand in Hand—A Reading Movement among Rural Youth" is also supported by Language and Culture Press, Weilan Foundation, CNKI Digital Library Company, Beijing Huayu Shitu Book Company, People's Literature Publishing House and China Three Gorges Publishing House.

44 provincial radio and TV universities participate in the meeting through a video conferencing system

Awards presented to 2011 reading demonstration sites and winners in the book report competition

By Lihong Zhang, the OUC