Older Adults and the Importance of Reading
ORANJESTAD – In honor of the International Day of Older Persons—a global observance celebrated every year on October 1st—the National Library of Aruba is highlighting the importance of reading for everyone, and especially for older adults.
Reading opens doors to imagination, knowledge, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of others and our world. Whether it is a single page today or an entire chapter, read—even if just for a little while—because it is good for you. Learn something new, enjoy a good story, or feed your creativity. Stop by the library and let the adventure begin! The library offers a large collection of books in all shapes and sizes, available in Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish, and French.
Reading is also great for brain health. Reading for just half an hour a day helps keep the brain fit and can reduce the risk of dementia. Additionally, reading together stimulates conversations; stories from the past can evoke cherished memories. Reading also reduces stress and is wonderfully relaxing.
For older adults, individuals with visual impairments, or people with dyslexia, the library offers a special collection of large-print books in Dutch and English. These books are extra accessible and make reading much easier.
Furthermore, the library offers its members the free service of borrowing and reading e-books, as well as listening to audiobooks and magazines. Members who would like to sign up for this online library service can send an email to info@bibliotecanacional.aw.
Join a Book Club or Start Your Own
A book club consists of a group of people who love to read, exchange ideas, and share experiences. It provides an opportunity to discuss the story, themes, writing style, author, and other aspects of a book in a pleasant atmosphere. Prefer listening to conversations about books? Check out our podcast on the website.
Our online catalog allows users to easily search for books and other materials. You can do this from home, school, the office, or wherever you happen to be. Simply enter a title, author name, or subject into the search bar on our homepage. Finding the right book is that easy! If you have any questions, feel free to send an email to info@bibliotecanacional.aw.