[Unpad.ac.id, 23/04/2013] UNESCO states that Southeast Asia is the region with the lowest reading habit. Among other countries in the region, Indonesia ranks at the bottom. Out of 1000 citizen, only 1 has excellent reading habit.
“We’ve heard that frequently. Solution to this, therefore, has to be found,” said Agus Munawar from Soreang Reading Corner when speaking in Padjadjaran Information and Cultural Event (PRICE), organized by Library Student Association on Tuesday (23/04) in Bale Santika Jatinangor.
According to him, poor reading habit in Indonesia is caused by several factors, the first of which is limited access to books. Not all regions in Indonesia have sufficient bookstores and libraries. What’s more, most community members do not have strong purchase power. Secondly, many books do not reflect what the society is actually looking for. Lastly, bad marketing strategy makes books in Indonesia give the wrong impression toward the community members—books have become too serious.
Munawar, however, remains optimistic. Reading habit can be improved through establishments of book corners or reading communities. “Book corners can make people more aware of the strong relation between books and life,” said he. Giving similar response, Wina Erwina, the head of library science department, Unpad, argues that libraries are there not only for people to read, but to understand life.
Organized in commemoration of World Book Day on April 23, PRICE managed to collect books to be donated to 12 libraries in schools in Jatinangor, namely SDN Hegarmanah, MTs At-Tarbiyah, MA Darul Ummat, SMA 5 Muhammadiyah Rancaekek, MI Cibeusi, SMK PGRI Jatinangor, SMAN Jatinangor, SMA Darul Fatwa, SMK Asmaul Husna, MTS Al-Ma’arif, SMU Al Hawari, and SMP PGRI Jatinangor. Professor Deddy Mulyana handed in the books symbolically to the schools’ representatives.
