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makeshift library located under a bridge on the banks of the Ciliwung River has received welcome support from youth communities, which recently put on art performances to collect funds and book donations.

The performances, which were staged under a bridge less than one kilometer from the crowded Jl. Matraman and just behind Menteng Square apartments in Central Jakarta, attracted hundreds of locals, as well as passing motorists.

Deddy Hendrawan, a final-year student at the Jakarta Art Institute, said he and three alumni of the institute, calling themselves the Purban Publizistik community, had initiated the event to celebrate Kartini Day and collect funds and book donations for the library they had established six months previously.

'€œOur concept is to provide a library close to nature that welcomes everyone around. But for that, we need more books and funds,'€ Deddy told The Jakarta Post recently.

During the event, dozens of members of the Pemuda Talang community joined the performances, reading poems and playing music, while local children proudly presented a dance show. Later that day, Purban Publizistik community members and soap opera actress Sabrina Piscalia stepped down to the river and read a poem about the environment.

According to Deddy, the group collected 12 boxes of books varying from schoolbooks and magazines to comic books. The community also raised Rp 6.2 million (US$479) from the event.

The money, he said, would be used to purchase library equipment such as bookshelves, small desks, rugs and stationery.

'€œPreviously, we only managed to collect one box of books, so this represents major support for our library,'€ Deddy said, adding that he hoped there would be more donations made at upcoming events, as he and his friends still needed an additional Rp 6 million to revitalize the library.

The library, which is operated by Pemuda Talang community member Arif Tanjung, sees 10 to 15 visitors daily.

Arif, who lives under the bridge, said the library had yet to attract many locals, but said he remained optimistic in light of the additional books and desks set to be available in the near future.

The 28-year-old, who also sells roasted corn on the bridge, said besides reading books, visitors to the street library often asked him to teach them to play music or engaged him in conversation.

'€œI am very happy because it feels like I can contribute to society. I hope the library will get more and more visitors in the future,'€ he said.