"First, inviting them to go back in time. We will mainstream the archipelago's manuscripts, including rare collections, ancient manuscripts, and arrange their utilization," Aziz stated during a discussion with the media at the Library here on Friday.
He explained that the National Library's duty in preserving manuscripts should not only stop at the digitization process but should also give benefits to the people.
"For example, how to use this digitized manuscript, so they can be read by children or the community," he noted.
The two other programs to improve people's literacy are strengthening reading culture, and standardization and mentoring for library managers.
"We promote the reading culture because our people's interest in reading is actually high, but the problem lies in the lack of facilities, in this case, quality printed or electronic books that are in demand by potential readers," he remarked.
According to Aziz, most of the reading resources in the libraries do not follow the interests of the community, especially children.
"For instance, elementary school students are given farming and fishermen books, even though they are not interested there," he noted.
Hence, to this end, he stated that the National Library conducted intervention by providing 10 thousand loci of books to villages.
Considering the fact that the villages do not have many libraries, the National Library has only intervened slightly through the social inclusion-based libraries (TPBIS) transformation program.
"We will provide mentoring to library managers in TPBIS, village libraries, and community reading parks. We will collaborate with regional libraries and literacy activists. This is a program that reaches the community," he stated.
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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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