Lovely Small Community-based Children’s Library in Bandung, West Java

Hi, my name is Cindy. I joined the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program in February of 2023. I knew about this program from Puti who is my colleague and director of the children’s library. The children’s library in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, named “Pustakalana Children’s Library” is a not-for-profit community library. Many volunteers contribute to keep Pustakalana active and to survive. Not only does it provide children’s books, it also arranges many activities for children and adults. For example, it offers a weekly storytime and craft activities as well as a silent book club for adults once a month.

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One of the story time was based on the monthly theme of “Pets.” I am reading from My Pet Book by Bob Staake.

The story is interesting and funny. In it, a boy describes his pet and claims he does not need to give his pet a bath or feed it. Yup! Because his pet is a book! The children showed interest in the story and asked questions, and some children just paid attention and listened to the story. After storytelling, the children did crafts. The children made mini books that they pretended was their pet. First, the children cut and folded paper. Then, they drew in color and decorated their book.

I’m very happy to be a librarian at Pustakalana!

This article is from our latest Newsletter, May 2024 written by Cindy Febilia.