Sustainable Lifelong Reading in the Digital Age: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

In the digital age, it is fast becoming out of fashion to see someone having a book in his his/her hand and reading. However, one is more  appreciated when seen viewing one's smart phone even while walking on the street. Why the moribund reading culture? And what are  ways of reviving reading among the children, youths and adult? It is an attempt to providing answers to these questions that this paper  focuses on concept of lifelong reading, benefits of lifelong reading, stakeholders in lifelong reading and their roles. Also challenges of  sustaining lifelong reading (which could be attributed to the advent of ICT, negative attitude towards lifelong reading often shown by  these Nigerians generally and other notable factors like absence of reading development at the formative stage, poverty, inadequate or total disappearance of reading materials and absence of functional libraries in most communities and societies) are identified and  solutions toward their eradication proffered. The paper notes that libraries, librarians, parents, and teachers, among others are  fundamental to actualization of sustained lifelong reading. Involvement of government and all stakeholders in the advocating for  improved reading culture of both involvement of all stakeholders in the advocating for improved reading culture of both the children,  youths and adults for society development are recommended.