Low Interest in Visitors: Jakarta's Mini Park Libraries Face Challenges in Reading Interest and Maintenance
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Managers of parks in Jakarta assess that the existence of mini libraries in green open spaces still faces various challenges, from low reading interest to issues with maintaining collections.
Although these facilities have been provided as literacy resources, their utilisation by visitors is considered not yet optimal.
Manager of Tebet Eco Park, Kamil, stated that the mini library at his workplace is still used by visitors.
“It is still actively used by visitors, but tends to be quiet,” said Kamil when contacted on Thursday (23/4/2026).
Kamil said that management continues to strive to keep the book collection in good condition for use.
“Our management and maintenance system monitors the books every day. We check again whether, after being read, they are not tidied up or placed haphazardly, then we rearrange them,” he explained.
However, Kamil acknowledged that maintenance in open spaces has its own challenges. In addition to weather factors, the risk of loss and damage to books is also a primary concern.
He assessed that the biggest challenge is not only in technical aspects, but also in efforts to build reading habits in society.
“The biggest challenge might be that we have to educate the public to enjoy reading, so that they are interested in always reading,” said Kamil.
According to him, without strong reading interest, the provided facilities have the potential not to be utilised maximally.
For this reason, managers are beginning to consider various innovations to increase the appeal of mini libraries.
In addition, Kamil also opened the possibility of developing digital-based libraries as an alternative to meet modern community needs.
“And there might also be a digital library to make it easier and simpler for visitors’ reading mobility,” said Kamil.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Library and Archives Service (Dispusip) stated that the development of mini libraries in city parks continues.
This effort is aimed at expanding literacy access for the public in public spaces.
Head of Dispusip DKI Jakarta, Nasruddin Djoko Surjono, said that the provision of these facilities does not only focus on physical presence, but also on the relevance of the provided collections.
“Our support for mini libraries in city parks is provided gradually and sustainably,” said Nasruddin when contacted.
He explained that the book collections placed in parks are adjusted to the segmentation, from children, teenagers, to families.
This is done so that the presence of mini libraries can be closer to community needs.