THE recent circulation of images showing empty shelves at the National Library has raised public concern.

But the issue is not simply about missing books or poor stock management. It reflects something deeper about how Malaysia engages with knowledge today.

Before jumping to the conclusion that Malaysians no longer read, it is important to be precise. That is not entirely true.

Malaysians are still reading—constantly. The difference is in how reading now takes place. Young people, in particular, consume information through captions, news snippets, social media threads, video subtitles, and online comments. Information is everywhere.

The concern is not the absence of reading, but the decline of deep reading: sustained, focused engagement with books and long-form ideas that require time, attention, and reflection.

The empty shelves, therefore, are not only a physical issue. They point to a broader question of cultural value. What does it say when institutions associated with knowledge feel visually and symbolically underused?

Education systems have played a role in shaping this pattern. For many, reading in school is closely tied to examinations. Once exams end, so does engagement with books. Reading becomes an obligation rather than a habit of curiosity or enjoyment.

Home environments matter as well. Children often mirror what they see. If reading is not visibly part of daily life at home, it is unlikely to become a sustained habit for them later.

Public libraries also face a relevance challenge. In an attention economy shaped by streaming platforms and social media, libraries can no longer rely on traditional models of quiet, passive usage. They must evolve to remain meaningful public spaces.

This is not a crisis statement, but a practical one.

Malaysia needs a renewed reading culture built on access, habit, and engagement rather than obligation.

Libraries, starting with the National Library, must be strengthened not only in infrastructure but in relevance. This includes creating more interactive spaces such as reading programmes, community discussions, and cultural activities that draw people in.

Schools should also create space for unstructured reading time, where students read without assessment pressure.

At home, even a short daily reading habit shared between parents and children can make a lasting difference.

Finally, access matters. Affordable books, stronger local publishing support, and expanded digital libraries can help ensure reading remains within reach for more Malaysians.

The empty shelves are not an endpoint. They are a signal.

They suggest that while Malaysians are consuming more information than ever, the habit of reading deeply is weakening.

The question now is whether that habit can be rebuilt before it fades further. ‒ May 12, 2026

KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

Main image: Unsplash/patsanannnn

The post Empty shelves, noisy feeds: Are Malaysians still reading deeply? first appeared on Focus Malaysia.