Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini: Communities need a library

Thursday, 9 October 2025 Books+Publishing

With libraries, their work, and free access to information under increasing threat around the world, B+P and the Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office reached out to libraries in other designated cities of literature to ask them about their libraries, their systems, their triumphs, their challenges, and the messages they want to share with the world.

This week we hear from Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini:

Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini is a library with creativity and inspiration at its heart.

Spanning five floors and constructed in wood and concrete, the library was relaunched in 2022 as part of the cultural centre Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM).

The Building

Originally designed by renowned Indonesian architect Andra Martin (and built on land that used to be a zoo in the 1960s), it draws upon traditional longhouses that can be found in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

The library allows visitors to see and feel the atmosphere of the park in Taman Ismail Marzuki, even from the main street of Cikini. The library also houses Pusat Dokumentasi Sastra HB Jassin, an archival institution that displays and manages the Indonesian literary critic’s literary and personal collection. Its creative neighbours within TIM include galleries and artist lodgings.

The library’s physical beauty is rivalled as its best feature only by its impressive collection of over 200,000 books.

Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini

A Third Place

‘Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini comes with a new concept, which aims to make the library a third place [a neutral gathering place, outside of home (first place) and work/school (second place), where individuals can socialise and build community] for the community,’ librarian Fenty Afriyeni told the Melbourne City of Literature Office.

The library has a collection of over 200,000 books, and a broad range of facilities and common spaces the public can use for free. These include reading rooms, discussion booths, a podcasting studio, a children’s area and many spaces for private study.

Aligning with its aim to be a ‘third space for the community’, accessibility is also one of the library’s key considerations. There is a room where the visually impaired can access reading materials in braille, and a fleet of mobile literary cars to help reach out to communities far away from the library.

The library also includes an immersive room, which is a space designed to fully engage visitors’ senses through projections, sound and more, creating interactive and transportive experiences.

Community

Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini runs a diverse and vibrant program for all ages and backgrounds. When asked about the library’s most successful programming, Afriyeni highlighted Jakarta’s largest children’s book exhibition Karya Raya that is run with book publishers Bookabook. This exhibition allows children to submit books that they have created themselves. To date, Karya Raya has showcased the work of over 1,000 young creators, setting a national record for the ‘Exhibition with the Most Books Authored by Children’. Children’s programming is held every weekend, including events such as storytelling and crafting in Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini.

Night at the library is another widely anticipated event, showcasing poetry, live music and stand-up comedy outside of normal library hours.

Supporting the local writing community is at the heart of many of the library’s events. The library regularly collaborates with local publishers so emerging writers can pitch manuscripts for potential publication. The HB Jassin Cup, a prize where local writers compete in categories such as poetry recitation, short story writing and others is another initiative aiming to support writing.

The library’s program promotion is driven by social media.

‘We believe that social media has a major impact on introducing the programs and events that we have implemented,’ said Afriyeni. ‘In addition, we also advertise through promotional channels owned by the DKI Jakarta provincial government on every main road.’

Lastly, the libraries have expanded their opening hours by extending the operational hours (originally until 5 pm on weekdays and 8 pm on weekends) until 10 pm every day. This has resulted in a sharp increase in visitors, increasing from 1000 to 2200 visitors on weekdays and from 3000 to 4300 visitors on weekends.

‘These numbers were unexpected,’ said Afriyeni. ‘This proves that the community needs a place. People need spaces like libraries to stop by for a moment, even just to pass the time while waiting for the traffic to clear.’

Perpustakaan Jakarta Cikini

Digital innovation

While visitors initially had to make a reservation to visit the library, the library has implemented new digital developments through the Jaklitera app, which removed that requirement. With this app, users can browse the library’s collection and access other features, including proposing books to buy. A digital membership is also required to borrow books and use the library’s services.

‘I learned so much from being a librarian here, from listening to customers’ needs and collaborating with stakeholders,’ said Afriyeni. ‘I realised that communities need a library – not only as a place to provide books but also, as a third place. The library must be present to provide space for people to express themselves and create work. Literacy is not only limited to reading and writing.’

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