Around 220,000 18-year-olds living in Portugal can access, from next Monday, a book voucher, worth 20 euros, to buy books in physical bookstores.
The Check-Livro Program is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture to encourage young people to visit bookshops and read books. aimed at people living in Portugal, born in 2005 or 2006.
Young people can request a book voucher on the platform www.souleitor.gov.pt, by registering in advance, and then use the voucher to buy one or more books, excluding school manuals, dictionaries, study support books and including books not published in Portugal.
The book voucher can only be used to purchase books the work identification number (ISBN) is validated by the platform, reads the official page.
Also on the platform you can see a map with more than 200 bookshops participating, most of which belong to the Bertrand and Almedina book chains, the FNAC chain and the Nota chain of shops, with some independent bookshops and they have stationery stores. added.
Regarding the geographical distribution of bookstores, in the areas of Guarda, Portalegre and Beja there is only one participating bookstore. The same thing happens throughout the Azores region, with the addition of a bookstore in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel.
Last week, when it was announced that the book voucher was being implemented, the deputy director of the General Directorate of Books, Archives and Libraries (DGLAB), Bruno Eiras, told the Lusa agency that “the number of shops an ever-expanding book. ”, starting with “more than 200 registered bookstores”.
Regarding the donation of the book voucher, Bruno Eiras also said that “The program was scaled to a maximum of 220 thousand young people”.
Beneficiaries of the Check-Livro Programme you have until April 23, 2025 to benefit from twenty reais when you buy books.
The book voucher is a measure proposed by the Association of Publishers and Booksellers of Portugal, which proposed granting 100 euros to 18-year-olds to buy books, but the Government previously decided to set the value at 20 euros.
The program has an allocation of R$4.4 million, through the Cultural Promotion Fund.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Literature Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we explore important news stories and their implications! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sofia Almeida, a literature expert and cultural critic. Dr. Almeida, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Sofia Almeida: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Next week, approximately 220,000 18-year-olds in Portugal will be able to access a €20 book voucher through the Check-Livro Program. What are your initial thoughts on this initiative by the Ministry of Culture?
Dr. Almeida: I think it’s a brilliant move! The Check-Livro Program not only encourages reading among young people, but it also supports local bookstores, which are crucial for community engagement in the literary world. This initiative could foster a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Editor: That’s an interesting point! It seems the program is specifically targeted at those born in 2005 or 2006. Why do you think the government chose this age group?
Dr. Almeida: Targeting 18-year-olds is significant because that age marks a transition into adulthood. It’s a crucial time for young people to explore their identities and interests. By providing them with resources to buy books, the government is empowering them to broaden their horizons and delve into literature that resonates with them.
Editor: The voucher can be used for various books, but there are exclusions, such as school manuals and textbooks. Do you think this limitation is beneficial or detrimental?
Dr. Almeida: It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, focusing on leisure reading rather than academic texts allows young people to explore books purely for enjoyment, which is essential for fostering a love of reading. However, excluding academic materials might limit access to resources that could aid their continued education in enjoyable ways. There could have been a balance.
Editor: And the registration process involves using the platform www.souleitor.gov.pt to request the voucher. How does digital access play a role in this program?
Dr. Almeida: Digital access is a vital component in today’s world. This platform makes it easier for young people to access the voucher, which is crucial in a time when they are so accustomed to technology. Additionally, it opens up opportunities for online engagement and could also lead to more digital literacy skills as they navigate the platform.
Editor: One interesting detail is that the voucher can be used to buy books not published in Portugal. How do you think this will influence young readers’ choices?
Dr. Almeida: Allowing access to a diverse range of books expands young readers’ horizons and exposes them to global literature. This could have a profound impact on their understanding of different cultures, ideas, and narratives. It’s an essential step toward nurturing a more cosmopolitan and open-minded generation.
Editor: what long-term effects do you anticipate this program might have on Portugal’s reading culture and the future of its literature?
Dr. Almeida: If effective, programs like Check-Livro could ignite a renewed interest in reading among youth, potentially leading to higher literacy rates and a stronger literary community in Portugal. In the long term, this could also inspire more local authors and enhance the cultural tapestry of the nation as young readers become engaged writers, thinkers, and cultural producers themselves.
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Almeida, for your insightful analysis! It’s exciting to imagine the possibilities that this initiative could unlock for young readers in Portugal.
Dr. Almeida: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how this program unfolds and influences the next generation of readers.