Peace Librarians with Founder Guru Bumi
My name is Ana Luthfiyatun Nadhifah, or you can call me Nadhif. I’m from Pati, and currently, I am a mentor for children at Paud Joglo (Joglo School), and an internship facilitator for Power of Goodness at Peace Place Pati. I am also active as a volunteer at Joglo Peace Library. This experience has led me to delve deeper into the world of children’s books and children’s libraries, which I believe play an essential role in children’s development.
I became interested in developing the Joglo Peace Library because I realized the importance of carefully choosing the vocabulary and illustrations in children’s books. Many libraries still overlook books that contain elements of violence or content that isn’t suitable for children’s development. At Peace Library, we are committed to selecting books that are safe, educational, and enjoyable. Additionally, I truly enjoy reading children’s books. This activity allows me to connect with my “inner child,” perhaps one that didn’t have access to quality books in the past. It’s truly delightful to read a variety of stories with knowledge that can broaden children’s horizons!
Overcoming Challenges: Managing a Library Without a Librarian Background
At times, I feel limited by my background as I am not a trained librarian. However, the trust given to me to manage this library, and the learning process I’ve gone through, have helped me feel capable of overcoming challenges. Initially, I was nervous, but now I feel more prepared to face various obstacles—even those that initially seemed difficult. My curiosity and eagerness to learn continue to drive me to grow, especially in managing a library that is child-friendly.
At the end of December, I had the opportunity to travel to Solo and Yogyakarta. There, I visited various libraries with different management models that were very inspiring. These visits provided me with many new insights for managing the Peace Library at Joglo.
Ratih, Nadhif, and Mellia visit Ganesa Library. They learn how to organize children books
Lessons Learned from Other Libraries: Enlightening Experiences
My first visit was to Perpustakaan Bocah Becik (Nice Kid Library) in Solo. This library relies heavily on children as volunteers. They act as young librarians managing book circulation. This not only gives children the chance to learn responsibility but also enhances their writing skills and builds their self-confidence. I saw firsthand how beneficial it is to involve children in the library process, and this inspired me to engage more children at Peace Library.
Next, I visited Perpustakaan Ganesha, which classifies books using a simple system with colors or codes they created themselves. This method is very practical and easy for children and parents to understand. This experience gave me the idea to implement a similar system at Joglo Peace Library, which would make it easier for children to find books according to categories they are interested in and that are suitable for them.
I also visited Perpustakaan Teras Kita (Our Terrace Library) in Surakarta. Here, the library prioritizes the comfort of its users and captures children’s attention through play activities. Beyond book classification, they emphasize creating a space that supports children’s social development. Interestingly, they have young librarians who voluntarily invite their peers to come play and read. This inspired me to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for children at our library.
From Experience to Implementation: Building a Child-Friendly Peace Library
At Peace Library, we also implement the concept of permaculture to maintain the humidity of books naturally, using materials such as agarwood and cloves. We believe these natural materials are more environmentally friendly and safer for children. Additionally, we apply a simple method of book classification, such as using colors or codes that children can easily understand, so they can easily find books that interest them.
The experience at Perpustakaan Ganesha also gave me insights into the translation of books. I was initially worried whether the translation would disrupt the illustrations, and after discussions, we understood that translation requires careful consideration. We need to pay attention to the space available, use fonts that are easy for children to read, and select the appropriate paper color to ensure the book remains appealing and understandable.
Inspiring Change: The Next Steps
From these experiences, I am increasingly convinced that anyone can start a library, even from a hobby of collecting books. You don’t need formal librarian training to share knowledge and support children’s development through literacy. This is an important lesson I took home from my journey—that with strong intentions and a desire to learn, we can all make a difference.
The next step is to be brave in sharing our ideas, supporting personal development, and making positive contributions to the community. The most important thing is to “just do it”—start with small steps and see how those changes make a big impact on ourselves and others.
Nadhif and Mellia visit Radyapustaka, Manuscript library in Surakarta. They learn how to preserve old manuscript with natural ingredients