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A talkshow at Sawahlunto regional Library - 

As a small town, Sawahlunto does not yet have entertainment facilities and shopping centers like other cities, so the library has become one of the people's favorite gathering places. Sawahlunto is the only region in West Sumatra that has two library service buildings.

This was conveyed by the Mayor of Sawahlunto Deri Asta when starting a series of inaugurations of Sawahlunto Regional Public Library service facilities, which were combined with a talk show with the Indonesian Reading Ambassador, as well as the handover of Digital Reading Corner (POCADI) assistance from the Head of the National Library at the Muhammad Yamin Public Library, Saturday, ( 9/9/2023).

"The Digital Reading Corner will later be placed at the Sawahlunto Public Service Mall," explained Deri Asta.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, Sawahlunto has long been known as one of the oldest coal producing areas in the ASEAN region.

In fact, UNESCO also confirmed Sawahlunto as a world cultural heritage. Just like the Borobudur temple area, the Sangiran ancient human site, and the Subak agricultural water distribution system in Bali.

"We deliberately used a historical building as a library building because it has an inherent image as a cultural heritage city," added Deri.

The high number of public visits to regional public libraries has been put to good use by the government by launching a number of innovation programs such as Literacy study groups (Kejar) Literacy by opening free tutoring in English, mathematics and painting for students and special children from special schools (SLB).

Apart from that, there are also skills classes, such as knitting and sewing classes which are intended for housewives.

"This innovation represents Sawahlunto City in the Provincial Level UKPP Public Service innovation assessment in 2023," added the Mayor.

Director of the National Library, Muhammad Syarif Bando, on his occasion said that to welcome Golden Indonesia 2045, strengthening literacy is important continuously, especially from the family environment.

Strengthening family literacy is considered important in developing motor intelligence as well as emotional and spiritual intelligence so that children with strong character are formed.

"Indonesia will always be asked how it can improve children's reading culture amidst the onslaught of social media and games. "So, the next important step is whether the library has a collection of books about these tips," explained Bando.

Meanwhile, in the talk show session, Indonesian Reading Ambassador (DBI) Gol A Gong admitted that it was the fourth time he had visited Sawahlunto.

Among the participants, DBI remembered his father's message when many people sneered at or bullied his physical shortcomings.

“Do these three things. First, get into the habit of running in the morning after morning prayers. Second, use your free time by reading books. And third, at night I routinely listen to fairy tales," recalled Gong.

He carried out this mandate every day until finally Gong was no longer annoyed by other people's treatment. This is where the role of family literacy comes in, he said.

In line with Gong, Mother of Literacy Sawahlunto Meyvita Belani Husman emphasized that the role of the family is very important in cultivating a culture of literacy from an early age. In terms of educational level, it can start from PAUD.

"We want to introduce books from an early age with programs such as visits to the library (library tour), storytelling activities, and mobile libraries," said Mother of Literacy.

Meanwhile, Sawahlunto Regional Reading Ambassador Zaskia Naila Adri admitted that this opportunity was the right time for her to develop herself for positive things. According to him, young women must be independent and like new things.

Zaskia admitted that the experience of being a Regional Reading Ambassador was the first time she tested how brave and self-qualified she was. Even though he used to be an introvert.

"There was one sentence in the book that I read that was able to change my mindset until now," said Zaskia//VOI