The Jakarta Library and Archives Agency (Dispusip) has once again held a movement to cultivate a love of reading through the Jakarta Reading event. It targets children who live or go to school in and outside Jakarta.

This year, it will be held four times a year

According to Wahyu Haryadi, Head of Jakarta Dispusip, Baca Jakarta is a 30-day reading challenge aimed at children aged 4-18. It will be held from January 18 to February 16, 2022.

"Previously, it was only once a year. This year, it will be held four times a year," he said, Monday (1/17).

He explained, it is part of an effort to build people's interest, passion and habit of reading in a sustainable way. It also aims to create a reading community in a bid to educate the nation's life.

"Parents will act as companions in solving reading challenges, such as making summaries or publishing reading events that have been carried out by children," he explained.

He explained, people could enjoy it through digital libraries, namely iJakarta, iPusnas, Let's Read and other digital reading sources such as regional public libraries, community reading parks, reading corners and collections of printed and digital books for each participant.

"It will be held online even though we still face the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus it is able to make the participant's house a reading room," he said.

While promoting Baca Jakarta, the agency has been collaborating with the National Library of Indonesia (PNRI), Educational Agency (Disdik), PPAPP Agency, Kominfotik Agency, PT MRT Jakarta, PT Transjakarta, PT Aksaramaya, The Asia Foundation, TP PKK, RPTRA Caretaker, Community Reading Park, and other communities.

"This collaboration is able to make the event as a joint literacy movement involving various elements," he furthered.

He added participants who successfully completed all the reading challenges would receive an e-certificate as a form of appreciation. Aside from e-certificate, the selected participants would also receive prizes provided by the Jakarta Dispusip together with PT Jakpro, Perumda Pembangunan Sarana Jaya, PT Transjakarta and Perumda Pasar Jaya.

They would also be invited to attend the Jakarta Reading celebrations with well-known book authors.

"It is easy to take part in the Baca Jakarta challenge. Just register via Bacajakarta.jakarta.go.id and follow the instructions to fill out the booklet for 30 days," he stated.