THE year 2017 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Georgetown Reading and Research Centre (GRRC), and to celebrate this milestone, the organization now dubbed ‘Bookland’, has set itself an ambitious target of getting books in every Guyanese household by January 2017. So says Director, Rupert Hopkinson.In a press release, Hopkinson disclosed that, in the light of its news mission, Bookland will offer a 30% to 50% discount on all books, and will give three to 20 books free, with purchases of more than $1,000. He outlined that the hope is that some of the free books will be donated to others, particularly those in the hinterland areas, so they can own books and therefore read more.

“I believe that books in the home creates an academically enabling environment , particularly for children. Children must grow up seeing books around them. This belief is partly framed from my own experiences, I believe books in the homes are psychological preparations for education,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bookland Director said the project is about helping to create and maintain that enabling environment in the home that can help ‘our children’ – always inquisitive, to explore, discover and develop early interest in reading and, by extension, education.
He said he has received letters of support for his work from former Minister of Education, the late Dr. Dale Bisnauth and the Office of the President in 1997, and has been commended by the Ministry of Education (June 2010) for creating an environment ‘most conducive to the promotion of literacy, a major focus of the Ministry of Education.
Georgetown Reading and Research Centre (Bookland) was established January 2, 1997, first as a library. Many former card-bearing members, which include at least two serving government ministers, are attached to major institutions nationwide, according to Hopkinson.
Now, with a new name Bookland, the organization, located on a 38,000 squarefoot complex at the corner of Woolford Avenue and Albert Street, has a garden and play park where persons can sit and read under benabs.
According to the director of Bookland, the organization has expanded its focus to promote social and intellectual growth and discovery, a new direction he says, to develop another income stream to help fund its work in enhancing literacy. Bookland now also hosts social events on its lawns and garden.