Perpusnas will build reading spaces in 10 thousand villages and community libraries with 1 thousand book titles for each reading space.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Library (Perpusnas) has said that its Village Literacy Movement will bring books closer to the community and provide reading materials that suit their needs.

"We are witnesses of this nation's strong determination to build literacy in villages, and we are starting by bringing books closer to potential readers," acting head of Perpusnas, E. Aminudin Azis, said at the launch of the Village Literacy Movement here on Friday.

According to him, the root problem in the community is a lack of books that suit the interests of potential readers.

Therefore, Perpusnas is collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to harmonize literacy-building programs.

"Perpusnas will build reading spaces in 10 thousand villages and community libraries with 1 thousand book titles for each reading space," he informed.

It will also provide intensive training to the prospective managers of the reading spaces, which will be supported by literacy activists.

"Perpusnas continues to carry out an institutional transformation, program transformation, and mindset transformation so that people also increasingly understand the meaning of books, how books are used, and (how they can) be useful for their lives," he explained.

In addition to Perpusnas, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology will also distribute 27 million books to elementary schools.

Related news: National Library eyes to boost literacy in rural areas

Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs will optimize the role of libraries in provinces, districts, and cities to support literacy programs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration will provide budget support to villages for the operation of reading spaces and community libraries in villages.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, who was also present at the launch, said that the movement requires the active participation of village communities to create excellent and competitive human resources, especially in building villages.

"Hopefully, the Village Literacy Movement, which has been launched today, can improve the village community's interest to read and the quality of human resources as well as contribute to human development," he remarked.

He expressed the hope that the movement will build and change the mindset of village communities so that they can participate actively in the government's development and community empowerment programs.

Related news: Village Literacy Movement can produce competitive talents: VP

Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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