Establishing Interesting Libraries
18 July 2004, by: 1001buku Media

Kompas, June 27, 2004

A way to improve the quality of the education is by increasing people interest on reading. A lot of community libraries or reading place exists in many different places. However, practically they are more aimed to create reading addict than to reach the bigger goal: increase the education quality. Many people are interested on developing public libraries, but not many people are interested on using those libraries, as the founders forget that books only are not enough to increase the reading interest. There has to be interesting activities which make reader come willingly and develop their knowledge. That was the wrap up from a discussion on developing children libraries, held by 1001book community on the ?Book Showroom Jakarta? in Istora Senayan, Wednesday June 23.

There were three young speakers who involved on establishing libraries on their neighbourhoods:  Lutfi Kurnia from Taman Bacaan Tegal Gundil Bogor, Savitry Indrawardhany from Taman Bacaan Pelangi, Pancoran Jakarta and Trini Haryanti from Taman Bacaan Cinderalas, Rembang, Middle Java.

"It is not easy to attract people or kids to read, they prefer to watch TV or do other activities. I have to find a new idea to make them like to read a book. Because most of people in Pancoran like movies, I decided to use movies as trigger?, said Savitry or Iin about the establishment of Taman Bacaan Pelangi two years ago.
 
In Tegal Gundil, Lutfi asked the youth to write on local newspaper about news and activities in their neighbourhood.

"Before, They were used to be drunk and teasing girls. When this issue was written on the local newspaper, they felt bad. But after they were asked to joint on making the newspaper, they are become interested because now they have an activity to do. At the end, they asked for a place, completed with books, for their gathering. Of course, the first books put on that place were the ones they are interested with?, explained Lutfi.

But after they develop the libraries, both Iin and Lutfi saw that books only are not enough to increase the people education.

"Book is an object only, it is not enough. There must be a practice or field activity that the knowledge from the book can be understood by the readers?, explained Lutfi more.

He gave an example that children in Tegal Gundil do not understand about river pollution they read in books. After they were taken to the river and the story of river condition about 20 years ago, they understand what the pollution means.

"A long time ago, the river depth was five meters and now only two meters. Why is that? Because on the bottom of the river there is many garbage, including from the household. At the end, Tegal Gundil kids not only learn about the river, but also about pollution and healthy environment?, told Lufti.
 
Iin who lives on the area where the community is addict to movies, asked the kids to do a scene from an Indian movie, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She asked them to lie down on the grass, look into the sky and imagine the cloud shapes.

Afterwards, she asked the kids where the clouds come from. ?When the kids do not know, I show them a book about clouds. And they are started to have interest in books,? said Iin.

All of the speakers stated that to develop a lively library and have a lot of members, its owner must have commitment and strong willingness to get involved.

"If you are willing to contribute something for your neighbourhood, spent some of your time. You could not depend on the library officer only. If the library belongs to the community itself, involved them in some activities that they have a sense of belonging,? said Trini.
 
She added that to introduce the community library, do not hesitate to embrace the local officer and local people through community activities. Then, find an attractive activity to draw their interest.

Make a regular schedule that let them know what the library?s activities are. For example, Iin plays movie every first week of the month, creativity competition for the second week, on third week books reading and story telling, and outdoor activities on the fourth week.

"We do not have to open the library daily if we could not afford it. It?s more important to have a fixed schedule only once a week?, added Iin.

Just as other public library, community libraries face the problem of lost book. To avoid it, make a membership system to track the book easier. Books could be borrowed for free, but there?s a fine if the kids are late in returning it.

To establish a library, do not worry about books amount. ?Many organizations will help community libraries to provide or lend the books.  Even though the library has 25 books only, a help will come it the library really exists,? stated Dimas from the 1001book community.

For example, the 1001book community is willing to provide or lend books for community libraries that have small amount of books collection. Just send an email to info@1001buku.org, access the site www.1001buku.org , or call hotline 0817.6838.410.