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Reading with a Technology Twist in "Semnan, Iran's Book Capital" / Here, the Future of Reading Shines with Technology
1403/02/28-15:25
Semnan's pavilion, as the book capital of Iran, showcases technology-based and innovative reading promotion products that can attract any audience to the new world of books and reading.
According to the news headquarters of the 35th Tehran International Book Fair, this is Semnan, where creativity meets books! When you enter the "Semnan, Iran's Book Capital" booth, you see a reading promotion product in every corner, from a large wheel designed for book presentations to small, simple libraries that don't seem very practical at first glance. A digital device and a small robot also catch the eye at the Semnan booth. The booth's design is unique, resembling a pedestrian path and street. I quickly sat down for an interview with the booth manager; although brief, many questions and stories remained unanswered. After the introduction of smart and creative products, I watched fascinating stories about Semnan's cultural and literary activities through films. I will share as much as I can recall, but first, let's read the explanations from Reza Shamskhani, the secretary of Iran's Book Capital:
Reza Shamskhani Reflected on How Semnan Volunteered to be Iran's Book Capital:
"When we aimed for Semnan to be Iran's Book Capital, we conducted extensive surveys, both in-person and online, asking people, 'Do you want Semnan to be Iran's Book Capital?' After 49% of the respondents expressed their desire for this, we pursued the initiative. Initially, the 'Iran's Book Capital' secretariat was established in a non-governmental organization called 'Arman Roshan' and outside the government.
He continued: "'Arman Roshan' is named after our esteemed martyr, scientific martyr of our country, 'Martyr Ahmadi Roshan,' and is a knowledge-based public organization. Through the 'Iran's Book Capital' programs, many public groups registered in the People's Secretariat of the Book Capital."
Our Success Was in Effectively Engaging With People to Promote Reading
The secretary of Iran's Book Capital noted that the People's Secretariat accelerated cultural and literary activities in Semnan, stating: "The impact of this People's Secretariat was such that before its establishment and the public call, there were 44 child and adolescent reading clubs in Semnan province. Currently, we have surpassed 600 clubs and are preparing for the celebration of the 1,000th reading club, indicating our success in connecting with the people."
Shamskhani referred to the activities of Semnan's child and adolescent reading clubs, adding: "From the beginning of these reading clubs, the members were not just consumers of adult productions; the children themselves were idea generators for promotional reading plans. They participated in think tanks from libraries and intellectual development centers, gathering children's dreams for us."
An Eight-year-old Girl's Dream of a Book Ferris Wheel
He mentioned creating a book Ferris wheel from an eight-year-old girl's dream, saying: "An eight-year-old girl wanted a joyful Ferris wheel that delivered books, and from this dream, the world's first electronic book carousel, called 'Namak,' was born. This initiative tracks donated books over time and location, showing who has read the book and their feedback."
Fulfilling an Eleven-year-old Boy's Dream With a Kind Little Robot
The secretary of Iran's Book Capital referred to the friendly little robot "Elkab," which realized the dream of an eleven-year-old boy, stating: "This robot attracted so much attention at the Tehran International Book Fair that ambassadors from various countries, despite their cultural differences, unanimously said that seeing this robot relieved their fatigue from the long walk and vast exhibition space. It showed that they were delighted by this affordable, book-introducing robot."
Shamskhani explained the functioning of the book-promoting robot "Elkab": "This robot asks children and adolescents about their interests using a smart card, checks their reading history from the central library or intellectual development centers, and recommends two new books based on the latest publications."
A Model of Iran's First Library Street at the Tehran Book Fair
"The Urban Library of Nipak" was another product showcased at the "Semnan, Iran's Book Capital" booth. Besides its simple, classic wooden appearance, it was a smart device. This small smart library offers an interactive space for citizens to gift their voices by reading the book's back cover to this network and other citizens. When selecting a book for reading, the barcode scan triggers an audio introduction of the book. "Bekta" is a book bank for taxis and buses, providing high accessibility for book lovers and the general public, with its availability and compactness as significant advantages.
This booth symbolically depicts Iran's first library street, equipped with various smart reading promotion products, which will be realized in Semnan. It's noteworthy that this booth was set up at the book fair with the cooperation of book-loving and reading Semnan youth, exuding a sense of life and collaboration. To better understand and connect with the knowledge-based, book-promoting products at the Semnan booth, it's best to visit the book fair while there's still time and see how these products work, enjoying the world of technology and the creativity of Iranian youth.
The thirty-fifth period of the Tehran International Book Fair with the slogan "We Read, We Build" takes place in Imam Khomeini Mosalla from May 8 till May 18, and also online in ketab.ir .
