VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 "Now and Later Literacy Talk" held in Jakarta - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Achievements of government performance indicators in library matters have increased, as shown by the growth of the community's reading culture.

The results of a study in 2023 conducted by the National Library showed that the Community Literacy Development Index (IPLM) was at 69.42, while the study of the Indonesian Community's Reading Love Level (TGM) was 66.77 or in moderate condition.

This was stated by the Deputy for Library Resource Development at the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) Adin Bondar in an activity entitled "Now and Later Literacy Talk" which was held in Jakarta.

It is stated that the average reading frequency of Indonesian people is five times a week. Meanwhile, the duration of reading for Indonesians is 10 hours 19 minutes per week.

"Even though it is in the medium category, it shows improvements such as people's reading duration is currently at 10 hours 19 minutes per week," he said on Monday (11/12/2023).

According to him, this achievement is the result of collaboration between various parties in a joint effort to realize the development of a community literacy index which is expected to improve in the future.

He said that in accordance with the mandate of Law number 43 of 2007 concerning Libraries, National Library will continue to strive to prepare library service infrastructure, from collections to librarians and library staff as literacy companions for the community.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, General Chair of the Central Management of the Indonesian Librarians Association (IPI) Syamsul Bahri said that librarians must be able to transform in carrying out their role to increase public literacy.

"Talking about libraries and librarians in the present and future is closely related to information technology. "Currently, IPI is trying to make librarians more aware that there is a tough competitor for them, namely information technology," he explained.

According to Syamsul, as parties who are on the front line and deal directly with the public, librarians must be able to understand the public's need for information such as that offered by digital technology.

On the other hand, General Chairperson of the Central Board of the Reading Interest Cultivation Movement (GPMB) Herlina Mustikasari explained that literacy is inclusive, covers various aspects of life and is not only limited to reading and writing.

According to him, various literacy concepts that are currently increasingly developing, many of which include human empowerment.

"Actually, literacy is a person's ability to access information, sort, process and use the information they receive," he explained.

Like the concept of developing a literacy ecosystem that starts with the family. According to Herlina, the literacy concept of the family, which is the smallest unit in society, is the first step in forming people with character and morals who will be the forerunner to the ideal life of Indonesian society.

Meanwhile, Maman Suherman sees literacy as a life skill and skill, not just focused on reading and writing.