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Foundation assists libraries

JAKARTA (IO) — A leading soft drink producer has established a new national foundation which is providing Rp5 billion (US$596,000) for the development of libraries in Indonesia.

Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI), launched yesterday in Jakarta, aims to support the company’s community development activities.

"Over the next three years, we plan to develop 20 libraries throughout Indonesia with funding amounting to more than Rp5 billion," CCFI Chairman Mugijanto told reporters.

He said the grants for the library development program will be used for the purchase of books and to improve library management, as well as to upgrade facilities.

"A special team has been established to select which libraries across the nation should receive the assistance, and to arrange comprehensive planning necessary to develop self-sustaining libraries," he said.

Apart from helping libraries, Coca-Cola has also opened public polyclinics, organized mass circumcisions, blood donations, and assisted the recycling industry.

"Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia has a mission to help develop the social welfare of the Indonesian community, particularly in the field of education," Mugijanto said.

CCFI executive Fuad Hassan said most libraries in Indonesia lack sufficient reading materials, are poorly managed, and don’t encourage people to learn through reading.

"A lack of funds, followed by a lack of professional full-time managers are the top two reasons cited by librarians for the poor state of the nation’s libraries," said Hassan, who is a former education and culture minister.

Nowadays, only 18% of the country’s schools have libraries, and only 22% of the 60,000 subdistricts across the nation have libraries.

"Community and business support is anxiously awaited, as without the help of the community in general it will be difficult for libraries to develop as learning centers and then as agents of change within their regions," said Hassan.

"Building, restoring and upgrading libraries, along with teaching locals how to manage and maintain them, will be the prime objective of CCFI’s first three-year activity," he said.

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