How often do you go to the public library?

In general, public libraries provide access to information free of charge. Although the Internet has spread around the world and has made it easier to obtain information, there are still many people who prefer reading books at the public library.

On one weekday afternoon the Freedom Institute in Menteng, Jakarta, was filled with visitors spending their time reading and studying. The modern, stylish public library has 12,000 books on democracy, nationalism and economics. About 80 percent are foreign books in English and the rest are in Indonesian.

Library worker Wahyu Budhi Nugroho said 60 to 75 people visit the library every day, and more than half of the users were undergraduates or graduate students.

“We have 4,000 members so far since the library opened in 2001. Most library members like to use our photocopying service, because we can make a copy of an entire book,” he said.

Wahyu said on weekends the library purchases two or three new books to keep the library up-to-date. Currently, only library workers are allowed to borrow books from the library.

There were more than a dozen students at the South Jakarta Public Library on Jl. Gandaria Tengah one weekday. Librarian Dani R. said 70 percent of the library’s patrons were middle school, high school and college students.

“The students come here to borrow books and to do their homework. They obtain information they need from library books. I guess it’s because many schools don’t provide computer facilities or the Internet for students yet,” he said.

The two-story library’s collection comprises about 24,000 titles. During the week they offer a mobile library service, which visits locations such as Bintaro in Tangerang and Cipete Utara and Ragunan in South Jakarta. Dani said this service has gained favor with the locals, especially children.

There are five municipalities in Jakarta and although each municipality has a public library, people in the capital know little about those libraries, Dani said.

“We often visit local schools in order to let students know about the public library and encourage them to use the facilities. We tell them that they will find it pleasant to study at the library,” he said.

The Jakarta Provincial Public Library is located on the seventh and eighth floors of the Nyi Ageng Serang building on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The library has over 41,000 titles, including a special Betawi collection. The library also offers free Internet to those who have a membership card.

“One hundred and fifty to 200 people visit our library every day. Many of them use the Internet because they don’t have a computer or Internet access at home,” said staff member Siti Maulida.

A lot of students visit the library to find books that are not available at their school or university libraries, Siti said.

“Students and adults mostly borrow books on management and technology, as well as fiction. I don’t think it’s enjoyable reading e-books. Printed books are better because they are easier to read and carry,” she said.