On weekends in Ipoh, public libraries remain a popular destination for children and teenagers who prefer reading physical books over digital devices, despite widespread use of smartphones and social media. At the recently upgraded Perak State Public and Digital Library, young patrons are drawn by the quiet environment and access to a diverse collection of materials.

Ten-year-old P. Shashmitha visits the library every Saturday and said she enjoys the calm atmosphere, which helps her concentrate on her reading. During school recess, she often rushes to the school library to read, reflecting her strong enthusiasm for books. When the state library was temporarily closed last year, Shashmitha and her family turned to the Tun Razak Library, operated by Ipoh City Council. However, she expressed excitement about the Perak library’s expanded facilities since its refurbishment.

Shashmitha pointed out that digital reading presents distractions such as calls and messages, making physical books more appealing. "In the library, I can just look at the books, pick one and start reading," she said. Her mother, R. Yogeswary, a former kindergarten teacher, emphasized the importance of nurturing reading interests from an early age. Yogeswary recounted how her daughter’s curiosity was sparked by browsing books at a hypermarket, which motivated her to bring all her children to the library regularly and support their learning at home.

Similarly, senior customs officer R. Kavitha said she has encouraged her 13-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter to engage with books instead of smartphones. Kavitha highlighted the library’s value in providing access to a wide range of books and a distraction-free environment. She also appreciated the opportunities for her children to interact socially and learn to differentiate between positive and negative influences.

Older students, too, express a preference for printed books. Sixteen-year-old Nur Aina Humaira Hedir visits her school library several times a week, citing frequent pop-ups and advertisements as major drawbacks of reading comics online. Like Shashmitha, she enjoys the quiet and focus physical books afford. Reading is also a shared activity for Nur Aina and her younger brother, who often borrow books together. Both noted that Covid-19-related library closures disrupted their reading routines significantly.

Earlier this year, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad officially reopened the refurbished Perak State Public and Digital Library, which now houses 118,283 items and features interactive zones such as the Galeri Perak Kite heritage gallery, a children’s toy library, and a digital co-working space with multimedia rooms. Library director Abdul Razak Md Hassan said these enhancements aim to encourage lifelong reading habits and broaden the appeal of the library beyond traditional perceptions.

“We want to move away from the stereotype of libraries being boring places for older people or serious researchers,” Abdul Razak said. “The new library is designed to cater to all age groups, with facilities like a toy library for children to discover and learn through play.” He added that visitor numbers have risen notably since the reopening, reflecting the library’s role in fostering an inclusive community of readers in Ipoh.