Brilio.net/en - If you want to change something, you should start from the smallest and most familiar thing. That is what Muhsin Kalida, a lecturer at the Faculty of Dawa from Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta had done. His concern rose when he saw his neighbors throwing garbage into the river. Muhsin lives in Nologaten which is near Gajah Wong River.
Muhsin invited people in Nologaten, Caturtunggal, Depok, Sleman, Yogyakarta, to transform the landfill around the settlement to be a public library. He added the idea of having a regular patrol around the area because he realizes that changing peoples littering habits are difficult.
The library that was built near Muhsins house, contains his own personal book collection and is known as Taman Bacaan Masyarakat (Peoples Reading Park) or TBM Cakruk Pintar.
Muhsin said that he has lived in Nologaten since 2001. At that time, that place was so gross and dirty due to illegal temporary garbage storage there. Dirty water obviously polluted the river. As a newcomer, Muhsin could only convey his idea to change this dirty place to be an educational site by establishing a library.
The Idea was not immediately accepted by others. Even during its construction, some people came to the library site and throw stones at it. There were some people who disliked it, recalled Muhsin, who is also the chairman of the Yogyakarta TBM Forum to brilio.net, Monday (24/8).
Muhsin didnt give up. He slowly tried to make people aware of how important reading is, especially for their children who are still students. Muhsin realized that the invitation to change peoples mindset was not an easy matter. After months of good intentions while developing an empowerment program, he finally managed to convince everybody around the area.
Thank God, we get a lot of support. The women who used to spend their spare time by gossiping, they now prefer to read books of recipes, crafts, parenting and more, said Muhsin.
Children whove only known school textbooks could pick to read any book they want, starting from comics to novels. After school activities which were usually void of any productive activity, now has the option to visit and play to Cakruk Pintar to read books. In addition, teenagers also often come on Saturday nights to join a writing class or watch a movie together.
Ever since it was opened, this unique library has received numerous visits from curious visitors from all over Indonesia and even from abroad. It has garnered reputation to be a prime example of a free community-based learning center. The library was once also visited by participants of the 1,000 Pendidik dan Tenaga Kependidikan-Pendidikan Non Formal movement (Organization of 1,000 Teachers and Educational Personnel-Non Formal Education) in 2009.
As a result in 2010, TBM Cakruk Pintar was bestowed the title Creative Public Library by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
(brl/tis)
