Press Release: 1001buku GOES TO SCHOOL Program Launching
04 July 2004, by: 1001buku Media; translated by Ira

1001buku community launched its program ?1001buku Goes to School? in Jakarta Book Fair stage, on Saturday, June 26th 2004.

1001buku Goes to School is a 1001buku?s campaign program teamed up with some junior high, high schools, and colleges/universities in Indonesia, intended to get teenagers? concern in improving reading habits and access to books for children in need.

?Schools, colleges and universities joining in this program will carry out used books donation program, sort and distribute them to our affiliated community libraries with help from 1001buku volunteers,? said Dwi Andayani, Chairman of 1001buku Community.

According to Dwi, affiliated libraries are members of 1001buku children libraries network, located close to or chosen by the school/university, so that students could directly deliver the donated books, monitor the libraries? progress, and carry out interactive social and educational activities, such as storytelling, extra school lessons teachings, or just play together with children coming to the libraries.

?This program could be implemented within specific period, or be developed into a routine activity. It all depends on the school/university?s policy,? Dwi explained further.

SMU (Public High School) 6 in Bulungan, South Jakarta was chosen for a pilot project. The High School will include this program in the annual student orientation event. ?Usually, first year students were asked to bring food, balloons or other disposable goods, but this time we will ask them to donate at least one children?s book. In my opinion, this program is in line with the education mission and very useful, as one book could be enjoyed by dozens or even hundreds of children who do not have easy access to books,? Titus Bagus Suhirdjo, Chairman of SMU 6 Student Body said.

Titus added that he would establish a 1001buku Book Drop Box in the school to encourage other students to participate in this program.

Earlier, 1001buku has carried out joint campaigns with some High Schools in Yogyakarta, as well as schools and college in Jakarta; among them were SMU Al-Azhar 1, Junior High SMP Labschool in Kebayoran, and Teknik Grafika Politeknik of University of Indonesia. But the activities were limited to children?s books donation only.

?We invite other schools and universities to participate in 1001buku Goes to School Program. The substance of this program is not in the quantity of books accumulated, but to persuade the youth ? especially teenagers ? to be concerned with their fellow Indonesian children who are not lucky enough to have easy access to books,? Dwi added.

1001buku Community is a network of volunteers and children?s libraries management having commitments to provide access to good-quality reading materials for children. As of today, 1001buku Community has gathered and distributed more than 40,000 books, handled 62 Book Drop Boxes, and assisted 110 affiliated children libraries in several cities in Indonesia, with supports from 50 active volunteers and more than 1,000 cyber volunteers.

For further information and request to join 1001buku Goes to School program, please send an email to gts@1001buku.org or contact Amarithia at 0855 887 2666 and Sandi Taruni at 0817 666 3818.