Mobile libraries reach out to people
Mobile libraries reach out to people
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Monday mornings have been Firman's favorite time of the week for
the last five months, ever since a purple minivan started making
regular visits to his neighborhood.
Less than five minutes after public librarian Heru Purwanto
parks the van in an empty lot near the scavengers' settlement
where Firman lives in Cipete, South Jakarta, the 11-year old boy
came running and cheering, "Here it comes!"
"Where have you been, Pak? Last week you didn't come," Firman
complained to Heru who was busy opening the side doors, revealing
30 small lockers filled with books.
Firman quickly took out a storybook and occupied one of the
six folding chairs lined up beside the van that bears the sign
Perpustakaan Keliling (Mobile Library).
"Good books," he said, without taking his eyes off of his
reading. Firman did not move an inch until his mother called out
for a snack that he brought back with him to the mobile library.
"He's one of our regular visitors," Heru, the driver-cum-
library officer from the South Jakarta Public Library, said as
more children came up to the book-filled van. "There are usually
up to 50 people crowding around the van, mostly children and
housewives."
The van that Heru drives, carrying almost 1,000 titles ranging
from comics and literary works to the popular inspirational
series "Chicken Soup for the Soul", reaches communities
previously unfamiliar with the pleasures of recreational reading.
Each of Jakarta's municipal public libraries sends out an
average of five library vans from Monday to Thursday to visit
schools and districts that have requested access to their books.
The program was initiated in the late 1980s and expanded in
May when the national library added seven more library vans
equipped with audio visual equipment.
"This one I drive to kampongs in Cipete, Cilandak and
Jagakarsa," Heru said, explaining that he visited two areas
everyday between 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"We usually see more people in the afternoon," Heru said,
adding that, at first, there were not that many people interested
in the books that are taken from the South Jakarta public library
collection.
He explained that in 2002, the Coca-Cola Foundation helped the
library obtain more books, as well as with campaigns to
familiarize communities with reading. "We handed out brochures to
them," he said.
The North Jakarta public library has a similar program,
sending their four library vans to areas like Cilincing,
Rawabadak, Marunda and Kebon Bawang, where there are many low-
income, squatter communities.
"We choose areas where there are no libraries, and
underdeveloped schools, that are willing to help us provide
access for a wider public in the surroundings to enjoy the
books," North Jakarta librarian Deuk E. Roedji said.
The library plans to also operate on Sundays to reach more
people. "We are open to requests from other districts or
schools," Roedji said.
Aside from on-the-spot reading sessions, those interested in
enjoying the books at home can apply for membership by submitting
a copy of their Jakarta identity card or a letter from the local
community head confirming their residency.
Membership allows them to borrow the books for two weeks.
However, the officers said that no one had ever applied for
membership through the mobile libraries.
"They prefer just to come by whenever we visit their area.
Maybe because mostly they are migrants without Jakarta ID," Heru
said, glancing at his wristwatch, and preparing to leave.
"Yaaaa...," Firman sighed with disappointment as Heru told him
that it was time to go.
The boy will have a week to figure out the ending of the Enyd
Blyton story he left half-finished. (003)