Budget IDR 72.9 billion to build libraries in six regions in Lampung

The literacy level of the people of Lampung continues to be pushed. One of them is through the construction of a modern library.

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi (center) inaugurated the Lampung Provincial Library Building to coincide with National Education Day, Thursday (2/5/2024).

BANDAR LAMPUNG, KOMPAS — This year the government disbursed a budget of IDR 72.9 billion to build modern libraries in six districts/cities in Lampung. It is hoped that the existence of the library will increase reading interest and the level of literacy of the people in Lampung.

This was conveyed by the Deputy for Library Resources Development, National Library (National Library) of the Republic of Indonesia, Adin Bondar at the inauguration of the Lampung Provincial Library Building, Thursday (2/5/2024), in Bandar Lampung. During the event, a literacy festival was also held entitled "Transformed Libraries, Advanced Literacy, Successful Lampung".

According to Adin, the budget of IDR 72.9 billion was taken from special allocation funds for education and libraries. The budget is used for the development of modern reading facilities in six districts/cities in Lampung, namely Way Kanan, Tulang Bawang Barat, Mesuji, Pesawaran, Bandar Lampung, and Lampung Barat.

In addition to the budget allocation, the National Library also provided assistance in the form of 23 mobile libraries and 43 reading corner units to local governments in Lampung. This year, the National Library will also develop 10,000 village and neighborhood libraries in various regions of Indonesia, including in 320 villages in Lampung.

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KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

People are reading books at the Lampung Provincial Library which was inaugurated on Thursday (2/5/2024).

Various programs are important to improve the literacy of the community in welcoming Indonesia's demographic bonus. "Indonesian society is heading towards the demographic bonus in 2045. Therefore, the key is mastery of information, knowledge, and technology so that our society can become productive, innovative, creative, and prosperous," said Adin.

Adin also appreciates the efforts of the Lampung Provincial Government in developing library services. According to him, there are not many provinces that have large and complete regional library facilities. Besides Lampung, other regions that have sufficient and complete library facility services are Central Sulawesi, Riau, and DKI Jakarta.

Also read: Citizens' access to reading books is still limited

We will strive to create a library ecosystem that is dynamic, inclusive and relevant to community needs.

Governor of Lampung, Arinal Djunaidi, stated that the development of the Lampung Provincial Library Building is part of efforts to improve the quality of education and reading culture among the community. He hopes that the community can utilize the library to the best of their abilities.

"Through collaboration with various parties, including educational institutions, literacy communities, and the private sector, we will strive to create a dynamic, inclusive, and relevant library ecosystem that meets the needs of the community," said Arinal.

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi gave a speech at the inauguration of the Lampung Provincial Library Building, Thursday (2/5/2024).

In 2022, the Index of Community Literacy Development (IPLM) in Lampung Province was 59.99. This figure has decreased compared to the previous year which was 60.90 and is still below the national IPLM average of 64.48.

Head of the Library and Archives Department of Lampung Province, Riski Sofyan, said that the literacy festival held at the library aims to attract visitors. He hopes that more people will know about and utilize the library.

Also read: Indonesian Education Challenges

Currently, the Lampung Provincial Library has around 75,000 book collections. The Lampung Provincial Government will continue to add book collections until they reach over 100,000 books. In addition, there are also facilities such as free internet access, reading room, and discussion room.

According to Riski, since the limited opening in January 2024, there have been around 2,000 residents who have visited the Lampung Province Library. Moving forward, the library management will collaborate with various communities and agencies to hold literacy activities.