VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Head of the National Library, M. Syarif Bando check the new Library in Polewalimandar - 

This magnificent three-story building worth Rp. 10 billion, sourced from DAK in 2022, apart from being equipped with a reading room, is also equipped with facilities such as an elderly reading room, diorama room, audio-visual room, outdoor reading room, digital room and lactation room.

“We deliberately placed it in the Sports Center area. In public areas. So, for example, people who want to rest after exercising can visit. "Anyone can fill their free time by reading in the library," said Polewali Mandar Regent Andi Ibrahim Masdar at the inauguration of the Polewali Mandar regional public library building accompanying the Head of the National Library Muhammad Syarif Bando, Friday, (29/9/2023).

After its inauguration, the Regent promised to plan to accelerate the increase in the literacy index by building 10 soundproof reading gazebos and a literacy cafe.

On the occasion as a keynote speaker, Syarif Bando said that there are at least four factors that cause poverty. First, access to knowledge is lacking. Second, minimal innovation and creativity skills. Third, access to capital is very, very limited, and fourth, the culture of laziness is still a habit.

When we think that this problem can be handled with education, then place the library as the heart of education. However, often we actually place the foundation of our education through diplomas and credits.

"As a result, many undergraduate graduates receive high passing scores but are unable to do much to address problems in society. "Because their mindset after graduating is looking for work, not creating jobs," said Syarif Bando.

"We cannot measure the quality of someone's knowledge using a diploma. But measure your knowledge by your reading habits. From there, various technologies were born that are useful for the life of the universe. There is no transfer of theory and practice from books to the brain except by reading," explained the Head of National Library.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, in the talk show session, Chairman of the DPRD Polewali Mandar Jupri Mahmud admitted that currently the legislative and executive circles have the same frequency that libraries are fundamental to improving the condition of the Polman community. There is no reason for regions not to support it because legal laws through laws and Government Regulations (PP) regarding libraries already exist.

"We too, since 2021 have had regional regulations regarding the operation of libraries," explained Jupri.

Jupri understands that if the quality of literacy is lacking, there will be no significant progress in an area. Therefore, his party will agree to the Regent's proposal which requires a reading gazebo and literacy cafe to accelerate the literacy index in Polman.

During the recess period, members of the DPRD also received requests to build community reading parks and book collections in the villages. This request has been sought by the public since 2020.

"But we encountered obstacles because the rules or information system that accommodates the program does not yet exist.

"In fact, regional conditions require encouragement or a pick-up program because many regions experience conditions where people are less interested in reading," said Jupri again.

Meanwhile, Perahu Pustaka mobile library activist Muhammad Ridwan Alimuddin added that statistically, Indonesia is one of the countries that has the most libraries.

However, as stated by the Director of the National Library, access to reading materials is not yet adequate.

"Take for example a school library where the library room has been converted into a sports equipment warehouse. "Even if there is a collection of books, the books are left piled up, dusty, and still wrapped in plastic," explained Alimuddin.

Alimuddin is grateful that the existence of mobile libraries is strongly supported by the National Library. And of course it really provides motivation for mobile literacy activists.
However, he hopes for concrete support, for example support from regional libraries to facilitate writers in Polman regarding manuscript reviews and ISBN management.

"So that science can continue to produce through the literacy ecosystem that is being built," concluded Alimuddin.

The talkshow session also presented academic speakers from Al Syariah Mandar University, Ahmad Al Yakin, and National Library Main Librarian Abdullah Sanneng.

On the same occasion, Regent Andi also confirmed Jumriah Ibrahim as Mother of Literacy for Poliwali Mandar Regency for the 2022-2023 period//VOI