Fostering a Love of Reading from an Early Age: Libraries Draw Closer to the Younger Generation
Efforts to cultivate a literacy culture in Indonesia continue to advance with an increasingly warm and approachable face towards society. From kindergarten classrooms to higher education institutions, various initiatives are present not only to boost reading interest but also to shape the character and skills of future generations.
In Makassar City, for instance, the City Government through the Library Service introduces a fun approach via the Roaming Storytelling Programme combined with a mobile library, or Dongkel with Mobile Library. This programme targets early childhood, inviting them to get to know books through stories and imagination.
A cheerful atmosphere was evident when the Dongkel team visited Abigail Preschool in Makassar. Thirty-three students participated in the activity enthusiastically, especially when storyteller Chaerunnisa Latief, affectionately known as Kak Nisa, presented the story “Aisyah Loves Reading Books” with the puppet Aco.
Head of Abigail Preschool, Erlina Maulidyah, stated that this activity is part of efforts to instil a love of reading from an early age, while also commemorating International Children’s Book Day and Earth Day. “We believe that enjoyable experiences like this will leave a lasting impression and foster a reading culture among children,” she said.
Not stopping at listening to stories, the children were then invited to read picture books with facilitators. This approach serves as a simple yet effective way to instil literacy values, while also introducing moral messages and environmental care.
In Yogyakarta, the same spirit is embodied in strengthening service quality. The Probosoetedjo Library at Mercu Buana University Yogyakarta (UMBY) has once again earned an A accreditation from the National Library of Indonesia. This achievement reflects consistency in providing relevant, innovative services that support academic needs.
Head of the UMBY Library Section, Nurrohmah Hidayah, emphasised that the accreditation is the result of ongoing efforts to improve service quality, from collection management to the use of information technology. The assessment was comprehensive, covering nine key aspects, including innovation and reading interest levels.
UMBY Rector Agus Slamet also appreciated this achievement as part of the campus’s commitment to delivering quality and adaptive education in line with the times.
Meanwhile, in West Bangka Regency, the regional library serves as a more dynamic learning space. It not only provides reading materials but also equips students with speed reading and book review writing skills.
Head of the West Bangka Library and Archives Service, Farouk Yohansyah, said that speed reading skills are important so that students can more easily understand information and face increasingly complex learning challenges.
Through guidance from librarians, students are encouraged to process readings into summaries, understand themes, and draw conclusions. This programme is part of the Inclusive Social-Based Library Transformation, which positions libraries as centres for community capacity development.