Reading Seeds
Sarawak, Malaysia
September 4th 2024
Sarawak State Library
Jalan Pustaka, O- Jalan Stadium, 93050, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Vision: - Empowering Sarawak through Knowledge Mission: - To provide to information resources and to preserve Sarawak’s intellectual property
Edison anak Ricket
Regional Manager, Sarawak State Library (Miri)
https://www.pustaka-sarawak.com/
Statutory Body
201
Reading Seeds
Sarawak, Malaysia
2003
- To instil the love of reading during the critical stage of a baby growth - To encourage parents to read to their child - To create a sustainable community-based early literacy programme
Government of Sarawak
The Reading Seeds programme serves families across Sarawak, covering both urban and rural communities through Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s service network and outreach activities. The programme is implemented through Pustaka’s main service points and regional presence, including Kuching, Miri, and Sibu, while also extending to surrounding districts and communities through collaboration with local partners. Its geographic coverage includes: 1. Urban areas, where families can access library- based early literacy activities and Reading Seeds sessions; 2. Suburban and semi-rural communities, supported through outreach and partner-based delivery; 3. Rural and remote areas, where implementation may depend on mobile outreach, community venues, local agencies, preschools, clinics, or village-level partners. Because Sarawak has a wide and diverse geographic landscape, delivery may vary by location. Some communities receive the programme through direct library activities, while others are reached through community outreach or partner-supported distribution. Overall, the programme aims to provide inclusive early literacy access across Sarawak, ensuring that families with babies and toddlers, including those outside major towns, can benefit from the Reading Seeds pack, parent guidance, and early reading support.
The programme is not for profit
None
The Reading Seeds programme follows a consistent core model across Sarawak, but it is implemented with some regional adjustments to reflect local community needs, geography, language use, and operational capacity. The consistent elements include the programme objectives, early literacy focus for children aged 0–3, use of Reading Seeds kits/modules, parental engagement, storytelling, reading-aloud activities, and promotion of early reading habits at home. However, there are regional differences in implementation. For example, urban areas may have easier access to library facilities, regular programmes, and trained facilitators, while rural and remote communities may require outreach-based delivery, collaboration with local agencies, community halls, clinics, preschools, or mobile services. Some areas may also adapt activities to local languages, cultural contexts, and community participation patterns. Overall, the model is standardised in purpose, content, and quality expectations, but flexible in delivery so that it remains inclusive and practical for Sarawak’s diverse geographic and community settings.
Reading Seeds 4.0 Content (launched on 16 August 2025) 0 - 3 months Flash Card 4 - 9 months A- Puzzle B- Popup Puzzle C- Deria Saya (My Senses) D- Anggita Badan (Body Parts) 10 – 18 months A- Saya Boleh…. (I can)- vinyl book B- Taman: Saya Di Sini…..(Garden: I am here…) C- Saya Suka Makan (I like to eat) D- Saya Sihat Untuk (I am healthy for…) E- Cubes 1.5 – 2 years A- Saya Bersyukur (I am Thankful) B- Alphabets C- Numbers, Shapes dan colour D- Dimana Kitty Saya (Where’s my Kitty) E- Bahaya (Danger) 2 – 3 years A- Kita ke kebun apa, Amelia? What garden are we goin Amelia? B- Kita ke mana hari inji, Amelia? Where are we going today, Amelia? C- Kitty dan Doggy Amelia D- Posman (A Postman) E- Adiwira Superheroes READING SEEDS MODULE FOR PARENTS & TRAINERS 1. Reading Seeds 4.0 Module for parents 2. Reading Seeds 4.0 Module for trainers
Free of charge to all families
a) Library (Public libraries, Village Libraries, Digital Community Centre (DCC), Sarawak State Library (Kuching, Sibu & Miri) b) Hospitals c) Community centre d) Health clinics The delivery model is partnership-driven, family- centred, and community-based. The library provides the literacy framework, resources, and professional guidance, while partners help strengthen access, trust, local relevance, and sustainability. This approach allows Reading Seeds to reach both urban and rural communities while maintaining a consistent early literacy objective across Sarawak. To facilitate this programme, the State libraries engaged in partnerships with the Sarawak State Health Department, the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak, public and village libraries and Digital Community Cenre (DCC) across Sarawak.
The Reading Seeds pack is usually gifted or handed out to families by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak through its programme team and library officers, especially during Reading Seeds sessions, outreach activities, early literacy programmes, and community engagement events. Depending on the delivery location, the pack may also be distributed with the support of local partners, such as: public library officers or Reading Seeds facilitators; community leaders or local organising committees; childcare centres, preschools, or early childhood partners; health or community agencies involved in family and child development outreach. In short, Pustaka remains the main programme owner and provider of the Reading Seeds pack, while local partners may assist with distribution and family engagement, particularly in rural or outreach
Not applicable
Targeted audience: every baby born in Sarawak
3,300
Prenatal, Birth – 6 months, 6 – 12 months,12 – 24 months, 2-3 years
Yes. List of braille books for Reading Seeds 4.0 i. Kita ke kebun apa, Amelia? Which garden we goin Amelia? ii. Kita ke mana hari inji, Amelia? Where are we going tiday, Amelia? iii. Do iv. Adiwira Superheroes v. Saya Sihat Untuk (I am healthy for…)
The Reading Seeds programme serves Sarawak’s multilingual population, with a primary focus on families with young children aged 0–3 years. The programme generally serves families who use: - Malay / Bahasa Malaysia as the main common language of communication; - English, especially in selected reading materials, parent guidance, and early literacy exposure; - local Sarawak languages and dialects, depending on the community and delivery area, such as Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu languages, Chinese dialects, and other community languages. In practice, the programme is designed to be inclusive and flexible. While the core materials and guidance may be standardised, facilitators and local partners may adapt communication during sessions to suit the language background of families, especially in rural and community- based outreach settings. So, the programme does not serve only one language group. It supports diverse language populations across Sarawak, while encouraging parents and caregivers to use the language they are most comfortable with when reading, talking, singing, and bonding with their children at home.
Impact study on Reader Development Program: A case of Reading Seeds program by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Sarawak State Library) 2023, published in 2023.
