RAISING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN'S READING INTEREST BY PROVIDING A MINI LIBRARY 'POJOK PUSTAKA'

Abstract

Indonesian people's interest in reading is still very low compared to other countries. UNESCO data states that Indonesia ranks second lowest in the world in terms of literacy. Of 61 countries, Indonesia ranks 60th in terms of reading interest. The public's lack of interest in reading should encourage the relevant parties to as soon as possible facilitate and analyze what is the cause of this. One solution to encourage interest in reading among the younger generation, especially children, is to provide library facilities for children. This community development program was carried out on September 18, 2022, to provide a mini library named 'Pojok Pustaka' for the children of the Hafidhin Royan Orphanage, South Jakarta City. The service activity has been successfully carried out by providing reading bookshelves that are placed in locations that are easily accessible to children.  Observations made to the responses of the children living in the orphanage showed that they were very enthusiastic and happy to read various children's story books provided at Pojok Pustaka.  In an effort to anticipate of boredom the collection of books in the Pojok Pustaka will continue to be added gradually so that children who come to read to Pojok Pustaka always find new things to read.