In this program, the community is provided with training to improve skills through applied (science) books in libraries.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Social Inclusion-Based Library Transformation (TPBIS) program could help encourage economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to head of the National Library (Perpusnas), Muhammad Syarif Bando.

"In this program, the community is provided with training to improve skills through applied (science) books in libraries," he said in a written statement received on Thursday.

Bando noted that the TPBIS program has been running for four years. The program has managed to transform libraries into centers of knowledge as well as places for the community to learn, create innovate, and get creative.

According to him, the program targets marginalized people, such as people living in slum areas, people in poor community areas, small-scale farmers, small-scale fishpond farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) players, and housewives.

Under the program, Perpusnas does not instruct people to choose a certain skill, instead it adjusts to people's economic choices in accordance with their own potential.

"We will contribute to optimizing with all power to facilitate information sources that are relevant," Bando said.

Training and capacity building for marginalized people are essential because they live in poverty due to four reasons, he explained. First, lack of mastery of knowledge.

Second, minimal innovation and creativity. Third, lack of access to capital. Fourth, a culture among people to speak more than read.

Meanwhile, a member of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), Putra Nababan, lauded Perpusnas for its breakthrough program, which, according to him, exceeded its duties and responsibilities.

He noted that Perpusnas has been proactive and the program has had an impact on the community.

The program does not only teach technical skills, but also how to improve oneself in accordance with one's own interests and talents, he said.

"There are many things offered in books. Imagination will improve too (by reading books)," he said.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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