Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reading habit and attitude among rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling were employed and 400 respondents who live nearby the rural library were selected. Findings Moderate levels of reading attitude were obtained from the result of the study, in which several variables produced a significant relationship in the reading attitude (education level, household income and time spent in reading). Practical implications Better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among rural communities could produce better information on the service provision towards the establishment of rural libraries in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. This would also increase the utilisation of reading sources and services provided. Originality/value The paper provides better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among the rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in using the facilities provided by the rural libraries. The findings may be useful to the rural literacy and library development community in the developing countries.

The rural library generates knowledgeable and up-to-date communities through the inculcation of positive lifestyles. The purpose of the study is to investigate reading interest and reading patterns among rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. The quantitative study employs a multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling, whereby 400 respondents from 16 rural libraries at Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah, and Kelantan were selected. This investigation shows that rural library users interested in the reading activity. Most of the users are female, read 2 to 5 books in a week, and prefer to read printed materials in Malay. There is no significant difference in reading interest and gender. Findings suggested that more library needs to be established in rural areas to foster reading culture. Librarians and community leaders play a role in promoting library facilities for the community. More research needs to be conducted to assess the impact of the rural library on the community, especially in the low literacy rate areas.

Various initiatives have been taken to bridge the urban-rural digital divide in Malaysia, which has impacted the change of mindset among the rural community in terms of acceptance and assimilation of digital technologies in their daily life. This includes digital literacy-related activities for self-development, especially in cultivating reading habits. The main purpose of this study is to investigate digital reading practices among rural communities in low literacy rate areas in promoting reading culture in Malaysia under the 10-year National Reading Decade (DMK) 2021-2030 programme. A quantitative design of the study which involved 400 rural community respondents from 4 selected states in Malaysia (Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Sabah) using the multi-stage and mixed sampling method in administering the survey questionnaires. This study found that rural communities in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia did practice digital reading, primarily on smartphone. The empowerment of digital literacy in terms of digital reading practices is believed to be able to narrow down the digital divide among rural communities. The findings are expected to provide useful guidance for rural development in ICT and create better understanding and awareness among policymakers to create a rural society which is learned and well-informed through a more inclusive digital reading practices.

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The Global Youth Wellbeing index includes 35 indicators across seven domains that is gender equality, economic opportunity, education, health, safety and security, citizen participation and information and communication technology. Youth signifies the developmental phase where critical decisions are taken on the key life transitions including; continuing education, entering work, adopting healthy lifestyles, starting a family and participating in society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that contribute to holistic wellbeing among Malaysian youth. The Nominal Group Technique was used to address the question 'What influence the well-being of youth? The group participants were nine youth ages 19 -29 years. Item generation was followed by discussion for clarification and operationalisation. The results indicated that selfrecognition, love, quality time, entertainment, health, vacation, education, ICT, spirituality, wealth, peace, interpersonal relationship and infrastructure, influence the well-being of youth. This study highlighted some important findings that could be used as guidelines in conducting further research on the well-being of youth in Malaysia. Interventions implemented on improving youth well-being should cover on individual, family, learning institutions as well as community level.