The Jakarta Library and Archives Agency (Dispusip) has noted that the number of participants for the Baca Jakarta (reading event) until the first quarter of 2022 reached 71,719 people.

We appreciate the enthusiastic participation of the community at Baca Jakarta

Those 71,719 people are from 17 provinces consisting of 35,444 child participants and 35,006 accompanying participants from Jakarta, as well as 645 child participants and 624 accompanying participants from outside Jakarta.

Dispusip Head Wahyu Haryadi expressed that the Baca Jakarta participation rate has increased this year, from 29,332 participants in 2021 to 71,719 participants until the first quarter of 2022. The number rose by 42,387 people or 144.5 percent in 2021.

The participants took part in this event for 30 days and completed the reading challenges provided in the digital booklet such as making a summary of the storybooks read, telling the characters in the storybooks, mentioning the characteristics of the participants' favorite characters and books, taking pictures when completing reading challenges, and publishing via each participant's social media.

"Books read can be obtained from digital libraries in iJakarta, iPusnas or book collections from the Let's Read application or books in regional public libraries or at participants' homes. The important thing is that people love to read," he explained, Monday (4/4).

He added that they got an e-certificate of participation. Those who were able to complete the 30-day reading challenge received an e-certificate of success signed by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Of all the participants, the best 400 participants were selected and they would get appreciation prizes.

"We appreciate the enthusiastic participation of the community at Baca Jakarta. This means that people are starting to like reading, we just have to take care of it," he stated.

As for the information, the Baca Jakarta event was realized in collaboration with iJakarta, iPusnas, PT MRT Jakarta, The Asia Foundation, Community Reading Park Forum, Baca di Tebet, Indonesian Literacy Association and Indonesian Writers Inc. Corporation and sponsored by PT Bank DKI, Perumda Pembangunan Sarana Jaya, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), PT Transport Jakarta (Transjakarta), Perumda Pasar Jaya, PT Jamkrida, and Deepublish.