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DBI Talkshow at the Soeman HS Library of Riau Province - VOI

The Indonesian Reading Ambassador (DBI) Talkshow was again successfully held with great fanfare at the Soeman HS Library of Riau Province on Monday (13/3/2023).

The activity, which was the result of a synergy between the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of Riau and the National Library (Perpusnas) of the Republic of Indonesia, was attended by Deputy Governor of Riau, Edy Natar Nasution and Head of National Library Muhammad Syarif Bando.

Deputy Governor Edy Natar Nasution said that in accordance with Law Number 23 concerning Regional Government, libraries are a mandatory business for regional governments. And the progress of the library in national development is currently the concern of all parties. 

"We are continuing to work to increase interest in reading, especially in Riau Province, by appealing to district/city regional heads and related OPDs to coordinate to increase literacy," he said.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, the reading fondness index value in Riau Province in 2022, which is 55.03 percent, is in the medium category.

He hopes that the value of the index of fondness for reading can continue to increase every year. So the Riau Provincial Government asked relevant stakeholders to play an active role in increasing community literacy in Riau Province.

"Because with good literacy, it will improve people's welfare," he explained.

Deputy Governor Edy explained that his party also strongly supports social inclusion-based library programs.

According to him, this program is in line with the directives of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). That social inclusion-based libraries are libraries that facilitate communities with cultural diversity.

"A developed nation is not only seen from abundant natural resources, but also a literate and active society that plays a role in advancing reading culture," he explained.

Meanwhile, in his keynote speech the Head of National Library said that currently literacy is still focused on reading and writing.

In fact, he continued, literacy is the depth of one's knowledge of a subject of science which is implemented with innovation and creativity to produce goods and services of high quality and can be used to win global competition.

"Literacy is not just knowing letters and words, reading and writing. But how can an individual create goods/services that are used in global competition, becoming the highest level of literacy," he continued.

In the talkshow session with the theme "Reading is Healthy, Writing is Great", the writer of Fakhrunnas MA Jabbar stated that literacy is proven to improve welfare. According to him, literacy and literature allowed him to visit various countries, such as France, Azerbaijan and other regions.

"With literacy and literature, it makes me prosperous and happy. It's a loss for people who don't read, especially those who don't write. Because writing and reading can change our lives," said the writer of this literary genre.

At the same event, Yuli Astuti, a red ginger entrepreneur in Pekanbaru, admitted that thanks to reading books in the library, she got the idea to innovate red ginger products by simply brewing them.

"I read one of the books in the library, namely Red Ginger the Magic Rhizome. From reading this, I innovated to produce red ginger for brewing," said the beneficiary of this social inclusion-based library transformation.

He said the turnover he obtained from his business was enough to meet his daily needs. Even during a pandemic, Yuli was able to earn a turnover of up to IDR 5 million per month.

Indonesian Reading Ambassador Gol A Gong said reading leads an individual to unexpected dreams.
He proves great reading of his personal life, delivering his works to the big screen (Balada si Roy).

"Reading and writing can make us empowered, generate income in order to improve welfare," concluded Gol A Gong.

Meanwhile, Plt. Head of the Center for Library Analysis and Development of Reading Culture, Dewi Kartikasari said, the Indonesian Reading Ambassador Talkshow activities in 2023 had been carried out in three regions out of a total of 12 regions. And the implementation in Riau Province is the 3rd.

"We appreciate that this activity can reach areas outside of what was planned and scheduled. Of course this is a form of collaboration and synergy that is well established with all partners," he said.

He also said that through this activity, the community was not only invited to read but also motivated to be able to write.
"The adage says if we want to know the world then read and if we want to be known by the world then write," he concluded//VOI