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| UMM facilitates its Kamis Membaca (KaCa) [Trans.: Thursday Reading] car to assist children in improving their literacy skills. (Photo: Istimewa) |
Some Indonesians don’t know that May 17 is National Book Day, which shows how essential books are in the country’s development, as said by Faizin, M.Pd., the Research Director of Rumah Baca Cerdas Institute [Trans.: Smart Reading House] of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang.
The initiation of National Book Day came from Abdul Malik Fadjar’s idea, a minister who served in the post-new order period. Initially established on May 17, 2002, the commemoration became Malik Fadjar’s concern about Indonesians’ low interest in reading and literacy. Notably, reading interest is one factor in increasing knowledge and the world’s development.
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Furthermore, Faizin emphasized that a book has a strategic role in enhancing the quality of human resources. Unfortunately, modernization decreases reading interest. Therefore, collective consciousness is necessary for open-mindedness, especially in generating excellent the nation’s successors.
The RBC Institute of UMM has done many things so far. Faizin has explained that RBC applies Sir Malik’s spirit in enhancing people’s literacy through many activities. For instance, they give the community the most expansive possibility to gain access to quality books.
“We also delegate mobile car libraries, like Kamis Membaca (KaCa) and Bakti Terhadap Bangsa (Terbang) cars, every week. So that those who are in the regions and remote areas, can also get access to good reading materials,” added the Indonesian Language Education lecturer.
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Additionally, the RBC Institute also has a Teman Baca community for those fond of reading books, mainly thousands of books provided by the institute. The group also constantly expands its network and encourages society to visit the location. Interestingly, the RBC Institute also provides a cafe for its visitors, so they can enjoy a cup of coffee while the existing collection of books.
“Hopefully, various activities and programs we carry out will positively impact more or less the quality and quantity of reading interest in Indonesia, precisely in Malang. I also encourage young people to love reading books and apply what they have read. Youth is the nation’s successor. If we don’t love books and their content, how can they lead Indonesia in the future?” ended the Research Director of Rumah Baca Cerdas Institute. (imh/wil)
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