Jakarta (Media Indonesia: (31/05/07) Vice President Jusuf Kalla asked library managements not to run libraries like offices which open in the morning and close in the afternoon.“If its only opens during working hours, it bears no differences with district’s office” he asserted while inaugurating a mobile e-library (Pusteling) belonging to the National Library in Jakarta yesterday. 

The event was attended by National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, Minister for Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, as well as a number of officials.  At the occasion, the vice president asked whether the National Library remained opens during public holidays. “We plan to do so, Pak,” replied head of the national library Nasional Dady P Rachmananta. “It means not yet,” Kalla asserted.

The vice president said that libraries should be made as interesting shopping malls. It should organize various events and children; this will attract people to visit libraries. If libraries remain closed on Saturday and Sunday, Kalla added, the people would have no time to visit libraries. “If libraries remain open in public holidays even at night, people will have enough time to read and do some research. In other word, don’t make this library like the district office or governor and vice president’s offices which are located in the vicinity. Let’s make this neighborhood better,” said the vice president, greeted by laugh of the audiences.

Vice president also asserted that books are teachers who never tired nor complain. “You can read them, sit on them, take them to bed, or read them for 24 hours, anywhere, no problem. Books are our main capital,” he said.

Appreciation

At the occasion, the National Library handed the Citra Darma Pustaloka award to Media Indonesia and two other newspapers, Republika and Kompas. The award was handed by the head of the National Library Dady P Rachmananta witnessed by the vice president. The award marks the 27th anniversary of the National Library which was founded on May 17, 1980. The award was granted to printed media which actively promotes libraries and nurtures people’s reading habit,” said Dady.

From the journalist category, Media Indonesia journalist Amiruddin Zuhri also gets an award for his writings on libraries and reading culture. Along with the Yogyakarta-based journalist, same awards were given to Burhanuddin Bella (Republika) and Indira Permanasari (Kompas). The award was received by Deputy Director of News Coverage of Media Indonesia Djadjat Sudradjat and Secretary of Editor Moment Sembiring who represented Amiruddin.

Aside of the press, the National Library also handed the Nugra Jasadarma Pustaloka award for several figures for their contribution on the development of libraries and reading culture. They are, among others West Java Governor Danny Setiawan, Riau Governor Rusli Zainal, Makassar City Mayor Ilham Arief Siradjuddin, Malang City Mayor Peni Suparto, Head Bandung Library Prof Dr Doddy A Tisna Amidjaja, Dien Sardinah and author of Gola Gong from Rumah Dunia, Serang, Banten. Other awards are also granted to some publishers, namely Serambi Ilmu Semesta, PT Bina Media Tenggara, LIPI Press, and Gema Nada Pertiwi. Awards also given to Director General for Community Empowerment at the Ministry of Home Affairs and of the Marriage Counseling Board (BP4) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.