VietNamNet Bridge – A passion for reading drove Pham The Cuong to collect more than 9,361 books and 2,000 magazines. His house on Road 8, Go Vap District, HCM City has become a public library open to anyone who loves books.

Cuong opened a small children’s library adjacent to the main library in celebration of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

When Cuong was six, he read Sans Famille by Hector Malot and was bewitched immediately. Soon, he was reading anything he could get his hands on.

“I didn’t have many books at the time, so I would read a book over and over again,” Cuong says. “Borrowing a book and reading it are not enough for me. I want to possess it at any cost. That’s why I spend all my money on books.”

Cuong is always happy to recommend books to readers, which he lends for free.

In addition to Sans Famille, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo became Cuong’s favourite book.

“The two books made me love books and get into the habit of reading,” Cuong says, “I’m so lucky that they were my first books.”

In his opinion, books are treasures which should be shared with everyone, especially children and students. His library provides books on history, society, science and morality to help educate the nation’s youngsters.

“Books are very important in education, but choosing a good book is not easy,” Cuong says “there are many kinds of children’s books on the market, but many are not good.”

Cuong often recommends books to children, but the library also serves graduate students and researchers with its vast array of subjects.

Loving care

Books are Cuong’s most important possessions, his faithful friends. Wherever he goes, he always has a book with him.

He arranges his books scientifically following special software. Twice per year he updates the library appendices in case of a power cut.

He says he has never felt regret for the time and money he has poured into the project. He is only sorry, when he doesn’t have what a reader is looking for.

“When someone wants a book, they come to me. They tell me the title, and I will lend it to them without hesitation, even though many that are borrowed are never given back,” Cuong says.

Though he has had many visitors over the years, Cuong will never forget the young teacher from southern Tay Ninh Province, who came in looking for materials to assist her with research about Soviet literature. Cuong was surprised that she knew of his library, even though she lived so far from HCM City.

He lent her 20 books for more than a year and, when her research was finished, she returned all the books to Cuong with thanks.

When he opened the books, Cuong found flash-cards and pieces of paper full of her notes.

“I respect the way she used the books. Her research must be very valuable,” Cuong says, “I was happy, because my books were helpful to her.”

Cuong has met several book-collectors in HCM City. Most want to share their books with others, but few have the time and effort to devote that Cuong does in making sure his address will remain a favourite destination for the city’s readers.

Last May 19, Cuong opened a small children’s library adjacent to the main library in celebration of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday. He hopes the new addition will give kids the chance to read books, as he had always desired to do at their age. Thanks to the new space, children now have their own place to meet their reading demands.

VietNamNet/VNS