The state should support bookstores to develop – Rostyslav Karandieiev

Despite the uprising demand for digital reading resources, it is essential to encourage the bookstore chain’s development. It’s for the state to support, in particular. 

It was emphasized by Rostyslav Karandieiev, acting First Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy, during a discussion at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

“Supporting the physical bookstore development, despite the dynamics of increasing demand for e-books, is very important to us. That is, we have to support bookselling in physical places, and this is the conclusion I think we should draw here. The state should facilitate this,” he emphasized and noted that this idea will be implemented next year.

Thus, according to him, the Ukrainian Book Institute has defined one of its tasks and even budgetary funds are provided to support booksellers through appropriate subventions.

At the same time, Rostyslav Karandieiev noted that to support children’s interest in books, it is necessary to prioritize access to books for them.

“With age, after growing up, from primary school age onwards, interest in books drops and more preference is given to e-resources, satisfying their leisure needs. Obviously, the management decision on the part of the state and interested public circles should be a certain educational, perhaps even obsessive proposal for children aged 14+, 18 to receive a certain priority, compared to other categories of citizens, in terms of access to physical books, as well as the availability of books as a material product and as a valuable product,” explained Rostyslav Karandieiev.

He also added that to this end, the Ukrainian Book Institute will implement a very important subsidy program, or rather, the provision of certificates to younger Ukrainian citizens.

“Currently, the legislation defines this for newborns and 14-year-olds, but we are considering clarifying these age categories in order to, as they say, put them in front of the fact that reading is inevitable. There is state support, please grab this opportunity, choose the book you want and you will read it sooner than you will just look for money and buy a book based on the accidental purchase principle, or falling for non-conscious consumerism,” explained the acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

In addition, according to Rostyslav Karandieiev, there should be increased attention to e-books and audio audiobooks.

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