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This is the text of Agatha’s speech, written as part of the English speech competition at junior high school level in Balige. Agatha got second champions.
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When I was a kid, in 2016, perhaps around 3 or 4, I would go to the library every day, to borrow or read books. Do you believe it? Well, that was a time when I was in England a more advanced country. An old lady, the librarian, seeing how excited and happy I was with reading a baby book, “Later when you are in primary school, read this book”, she said. The kind lady recommended me to read books by Enid Blyton, full of adventure. Can any of you guess how many books I have read written by her? Until this day, I have finished 7, yes 7, series written by Enid Blyton.
Good morning, everyone and fellow judges. My name is Agatha Simanjuntak from Budhi Dharma Junior High School. I’m in grade 7 and I would like to deliver my speech about the Unseen Treasuries of the Library.
Momentarily, teens my age – well, not just my age but also young children – these days spend their time on their phones and electronics. I mean…you know Gen Z. They go on Instagram commenting weird stuff, such as “You’re Killin’ it” or “Breath-taking”. Sir [points to judge] if I made that to your post, you would block me for sure!
It thrills me to read books, and I get books nearly all the time! Lately, I’ve been reading Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson series, the Princess Diaries, and Little Women. They help me improve my grammar and vocabulary skills. Better grammar and vocab leads to the best literacy.
Do any of you know Indonesia’s position in literacy? Well…Indonesia is ranked 70 out of 80 countries according to PISA 2022!!! Literacy refers to the ability to read, write, speak, and listen. Library helps it all. The treasure in the library is literacy, a magic door to endless possibilities. They can turn your frown upside down just by a single book. Within the quiet aisles and towering shelves, books serve as gateways to knowledge, imagination, and critical thinking.
Now…I know that it may seem hard at first, so…I recommend going to the library! Perhaps in your school, near your house, or even on your phone as long as it doesn’t make you play games all the time. Although, as people living in Toba regency, we should try to visit the Perpustakaan PemKab Toba, our local library in Soposurung. I’ve been there, and in my opinion, we’re very lucky to have one near our homes, because books nowadays are pretty expensive, in library you can read and borrow them for free.
You see, the first thing you have to do is find your passion, and start! However, knowing people, it’s pretty unlikely for them to go straight to the 10cm width book! Start off with the thin books, the baby books would be fine, trust me.
Of course, you will be pretty happy for the first few days, but what if you get bored after? What should you do? Well, according to a young girl in grade 7 (which is me 🙂 ) try some other books! If you don’t want to try new passions, that’s alright, because there’s more books about them than you know…but if you do, your adventure will become more exciting.
Next, you take thicker and thicker books, until eventually you will have ended your adventurous journey to the Novel! It doesn’t matter what sort of passion you pick, which could be sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, history…because each library has all! Annnnd, there will be no distraction. Why? Because every library has that one significant rule: NO. LOUD. NOISES.
No loud noises, lead to no distraction, leads to focus, which in due time, makes an exciting adventure in your head.
Let’s dig the treasure from the library. The library in Soposurung can really help us a lot!
That’s what a library really is. It isn’t just a building filled with boring books, some individuals think aren’t important. It’s actually a treasure chest filled with gems waiting to be found by each of us, where the gems are the precious books!
That’s all for today ~ Thank you 🙂 [text made fully by Agatha Simanjuntak]
