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Hidden libraries offer break from city’s hustle and bustle
Book haven: The PurpleCode Space, a library in a housing compound in Tebet, South Jakarta, offers about 1,000 books, mainly about feminism and technology
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ook haven: The PurpleCode Space, a library in a housing compound in Tebet, South Jakarta, offers about 1,000 books, mainly about feminism and technology. Visitors can also read in the backyard of the library, a quiet getaway in a busy city. (JP/Alya Nurbaiti)
Traffic congestion and a heavy workload make up a significant part of Jakarta life. Time is of the essence for most Jakartans, who rush around from Monday to Friday and, when the weekend comes, still think malls are the best way to take a break from the city’s everyday disruptions.
But these are the reasons that Annisa Sekaringtias founded Baca di Halaman, a small library tucked in an alley in Cilandak, South Jakarta. She wanted to provide an alternative for Jakartans seeking solace from a hectic life. “Reading is an activity that can only be done without hurrying, it unwinds your mind,” said Sekar.
Launched in November 2019, Baca di Halaman is located in the Eleven Trees complex. To get to the library, you must climb a set of stairs and emerge in an outdoor area surrounded by trees. Beanbags are dotted all over. Next to the area is a 2-by-2-meter room of bookshelves. Visitors buy ice cream or a drink as an entry fee.
Sekar said she was inspired by her experience reading in and borrowing books from the C2O library in Surabaya, East Java, and the Kineruku library in Bandung, West Java.
“When I went back to Jakarta, I could not find such a place,” she said, saying that despite most libraries in Jakarta having thousands of book titles, bookworms still demanded a more diverse collection.
Bookstores with a wider range of books are growing in Jakarta. But the prices, especially for imported books, are not always affordable. Libraries provide an alternative to buying books outright. Baca di Halaman houses more than 300 titles curated personally by the founder, and the catalog is available online.
One visitor, Kya Maldini Hill said she was impressed with the library’s collection. As an English Literature student at Binus University, she was surprised that the library had books from several classic authors — such as Jack Kerouac, Franz Kafka, Virginia Woolf, Fyodor Dostoyevski and George Orwell — and contemporary authors — such as Scarlett Curtis, Francis Fukuyama and Alain de Botton — which she never found in the other libraries.
Kya frequently checks several online catalogs but rarely finds books that draw her interest. “Baca di Halaman is the first library I was excited to go to after seeing the catalog. I drove myself here from far away,” said the 19-year-old, who lives in Cibubur, East Jakarta.
She added that she found the place so cozy that she stayed throughout the opening hours from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The library is open every day but Wednesday.
Visitors can take out books for Rp 15,000 to Rp 35,000 each without a membership. Members can rent as many books as they like without any rental fees. A three-month membership costs Rp 150,000.
Online book borrowing is also available. The store can be reached through Whatsapp or Instagram @bacadihalaman and they will send the book with the GoSend service.
Another hidden library, the PurpleCode Space, is tucked away in Tebet, South Jakarta. Established in February 2019, the space operates Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Located within a housing complex, the library offers a homey vibe, allowing visitors to read books while lying down on the floor, sitting on the couch or on the bench in the backyard among green grass and plants.
Unlike Baca di Halaman, PurpleCode does not allow visitors to bring books home. Visitors can only read from the collection on-site. If they have not finished a book, it will be put in a special box and given a name tag so that the reader can continue to read it the next day.
The rule is in place because the library does not sell memberships or charge visitors. Visitors can drop by and read for free. They can also read while eating and drinking. There is a refrigerator in the room containing drinks for sale and a kitchen to make coffee or tea. The concept is self-service; a glass jar is provided at every corner to collect money for drinks.
Founded by PurpleCode, a feminist collective focusing mainly on digital security, the library has a distinct collection of about 1,000 books, mostly on feminism, technology and movement.
“You could say this is the only feminist library in Jakarta,” said Efi Sri Handayani, the manager of the space.
Because the books comprise a private collection, they are also highly curated. “We have lots of women authors, locals and international,” said Dhyta Caturani of PurpleCode. Throughout the bookshelf were names such as NH. Dini, Leila Chudori, Intan Paramadita, Naomi Wolf, Judith Butler, Saskia Wieringa, Cyntha Hariadi, Betty Friedan and many more.
“But don’t get us wrong, we welcome all genders. This is a safe and brave space for anyone, especially the marginalized ones,” Dhyta said, adding that the space was a place to share experiences of violence and discuss tactics to fight oppression.
Efi said the space was more than just a library. “We want to advance the spread of knowledge. Many discussions, workshops and art exhibitions have been held here.”
A visitor named Kennial Caroline said the book collection was amazing. “I can find my favorite author, Eka Kurniawan, and the complete works of Pramoedya Ananta Toer.”
She added that she liked the tranquil atmosphere of the library. “It’s laid back and intimate as the place is small, and we can talk to the few people visiting or the collective members — a totally different experience from going to a conventional library,” the 29-year-old NGO worker said. (aly)
