Mataram Library Attracts 15,000 Monthly Visitors Despite Minimal Book Budget

The book procurement budget at the Mataram City Library is less than Rp 50 million a year. Yet, the library manages to attract around 15,000 visitors each month. Head of the Mataram Archives and Library Office, Mohammad Carnoto, revealed that the key is not a large budget, but rather a strategy of selecting bestseller books that are currently popular with the public, especially Generation Z. “Even with under Rp 50 million, we can get a lot if we choose the books smartly,” Carnoto said on Monday (6/7/2026). To ensure the collections purchased are on target, the Mataram Library Office collaborates with Gramedia. Through this partnership, the library can identify books that are trending among young people, ranging from novels and popular non-fiction to the latest comics. These new books are displayed in the library lobby. The aim is to offer visitors a refreshment, so they do not get bored with the same old collections. “As of last May, our library visit rate reached around 15,000 people. Last year we targeted 20,000 visits, but we actually hit 37,000. Now we are targeting a minimum of 35,000 visits, and could reach 40,000,” he stated. Seeing the high public enthusiasm for reading and borrowing books, the Mataram Library Office is now proposing an increase in the collection procurement budget through the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD). The proposed value is around Rp 75 million. “We are currently proposing through the TAPD, hopefully the book collection can be increased. Yesterday we proposed around Rp 75 million for books. Hopefully it can be executed,” he said. He hopes that the Mataram City Library will not only be a place to read, but will also develop into a comfortable and pleasant public space. “I have a dream that this library can become a tourist destination. So, going to the library feels like going for recreation, like going to a mall. We want young people to come to the library with a feeling of happiness because they know the collections are always updated,” he concluded.