TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta launched the Kotabaru Pedestrian Reading Corner on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day 2023. It is located on Jalan Suroto No. 9, right in front of the Yogyakarta City Library Building.

A number of long benches are available in the pedestrian area for visitors to read books that are exhibited on the bookshelves on the sidewalk. The open library provides various collections of books up to children's magazines.

People can thus borrow books without entering the library building. The collection of books on display will be changed every week.

“The Reading Corner is an effort to raise people's interest in reading various kinds of books from the Yogya library collection which are getting closer and easier to access,” said a young librarian from the Yogyakarta City Library Service Sri Anik Lestari.

Anik explained that as tourist visits return to a normal level and schools are holding face-to-face learning again given declining COVID-19 cases, the pedestrian area of Kotabaru was planned to become a tourism area that encourages people’s literacy skills through the Reading Corner. So people and tourists visiting the area could take advantage of these free services.

This is also supported by the ambiance of Kotabaru which has been known for its Indische-data-style buildings and shady trees.

Additionally, Yogyakarta presented a students’ literacy program in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day 2023 dubbed "Talita" for early kindergarten students. “The literacy tour is one of the innovations to introduce children to services, facilities, and activities that will improve their literacy,” said Anik.

In this program, children are encouraged to participate in storytelling activities, making origami with the theme of marine ecosystems.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)

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