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Siak District Deputy Head Husni Merza and Head of the Siak Library and Archive Office Salmiah Safitri symbolically receiving aid from the central government in the form of a mobile library and 25 thousand books in Jakarta on Friday (May 17, 2024).  (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-Pemkab Siak)

VOINews, Jakarta: The National Library (Perpusnas) provided Siak District, Riau Province, with a mobile library wagon and 25 thousand books in commemoration of National Book Day 2024 on Friday (May 17).

As quoted by Antara, During a commemorative event held in Jakarta, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin symbolically handed over the mobile library and thousands of books to Siak District Deputy Head Husni Merza and Head of the Siak Library and Archive Office Salmiah Safitri.

In Siak, on Saturday, Merza expressed hope that the grants would enhance access to reading materials expected to boost the reading interest of Siak residents, especially those from younger generations.

"We hope that this assistance will help us boost Siak residents' love for reading, especially the youngsters. Hopefully, they will be encouraged to read to broaden their insights and knowledge," he remarked.

The deputy district head then emphasized the need for libraries to keep making innovations to attract a broader population to nurture love for reading.

Merza said he envisions libraries in Siak as popular places of the district's residents while noting that the Siak Reading House has been operational since 2010.

The official then stated that Siak would have a regional library that is expected to emerge as a center for literacy and education for the people.

At Friday's event, Acting Head of Perpusnas, Aminuddin Azis, affirmed his institution's commitment to solidifying the reading culture and literacy of the people in order to build a reading-loving and highly literate community.

"This is in line with the directives of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin concerning the need to produce superior human resources to achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision," he stated.//Antara/VOI