WB extends Rp 6b loan for libraries

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The World Bank has provided a loan worth Rp 6 billion (around US$659,000) to help West Nusa Tenggara improve libraries in the three fiscal years between 2002 and 2005.

Head of the provincial library agency I Wayan Rateng told Antara on Monday that the funds would be used by public and Islamic elementary schools, and public libraries across the province to buy new books.

Rateng said the agency had selected 10 schools and 10 libraries as recipients of the aid, with each school receiving Rp 5 million and a library obtaining Rp 6 million every semester.

"The funds will boost the quality of human resources, particularly students, in the province," he said, adding that only 7 percent of the province's 4 million population regularly read books. -- Antara