Readers Club scheme of the National Book Foundation (NBF) for the year 2007-08 is getting good response as over 6,000 people have got its membership since its launching on August 27, an official said on Monday.
"People from different walks of life are showing keen interest in the Readers Club scheme and the sale of books under this scheme so far shows that people are purchasing Holy Quran and other Islamic books", NBF's spokesman Tariq Naeem said.
"The increasing interest in Islamic books is due to the holy month of Ramazan," he mentioned. He said the aim of the scheme was to develop book reading habit among the people, which he said, was declining due to the Internet and mushrooming of TV channels.
He said National Book Foundation (NBF) had announced to increase the total number of its members from 15,000 to 20,000 from this year and the scheme would continue till it achieves the set target.
He said book lovers under the scheme could buy books of their choice on reduced prices up to Rs 3,000 in a period of one year. However, from the next year, as par directions of the Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi, the membership period would be increased up to two years, he said.
Tariq said the enhancement in the period would provide people an opportunity to buy books up to Rs 6,000 during the first year of their membership. The scheme at present is operative in 52 cities and efforts are underway to expand it to the whole country, Tariq Naeem added.
The membership forms of the schemes are available at the NBF Headquarters for the people of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Whereas those belonging to other cities can obtain these from the National Book Foundation (NBF) offices located in their areas. Those desirous to get membership of Readers Club Scheme have been asked to submit forms along with two photos and a fee of rupees 100.