Irfan Fransisco is a 2025 student in the Library and Information Science Study Program at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University, who founded the Pendopo Street Library in his hometown, Pendopo District, Empat Lawang Regency, South Sumatra. For him, the opportunity to attend college was special because in the area where he grew up, there were still few people who could afford or wanted to continue their education. Building on this experience, Irfan wanted to provide access to education, especially literacy, that was closer to the children in his area.
The Beginnings of a Love for Literacy
Irfan’s interest in the world of literacy began as a child. While still living in Pekanbaru with his mother, he enjoyed reading children’s books and magazines. His school environment also had a good literacy program, so he was familiar with the culture of reading from an early age.
The experience was very different when he returned to his hometown, Empat Lawang. There, Irfan found almost no easy access to reading materials for the children. During his schooling in Empat Lawang, he witnessed firsthand how many children grew up with limited literacy facilities. Irfan also saw that many children in his area were unable to complete formal education; the average length of schooling in the community was only the equivalent of second grade of junior high school.
This situation ultimately led Irfan to believe that education should not stop just because someone was born in a remote area.
The Birth of the Pendopo Street Library
The desire to establish a library grew stronger when Irfan participated in orientation for the Library and Information Science major. During a discussion session with lecturers, he expressed his concerns about the limited access to literacy in Empat Lawang Regency. At that moment, he realized that his region needed a reading space that was closer and more accessible to the community.
However, as a student living away from home with all its limitations, establishing a library was no easy task. He started from scratch, learning directly from the Jatinangor Street Library to understand how to manage a literacy community based on book donations. After that, he began collecting books independently and established the Pendopo Street Library with other initiators in his hometown.
Every Saturday, they spread a tarpaulin on the side of the road and opened a free reading stall for children. The simple space gradually transformed into a space for discussion and learning together. Children who had previously rarely touched books now began to come regularly every week.
The Struggle to Maintain the Literacy Movement
The struggle began when Irfan had to return to Jatinangor to attend college. He continued to manage the library’s operations remotely through friends there. Irfan also applied the knowledge he learned in college to select books that suited the needs of the children at Pendopo. For Irfan, the Pendopo Street Library is more than just a place to borrow books. He hopes it will become a social space where everyone can discuss and exchange ideas.
Irfan’s journey has certainly not always been smooth. He has faced many challenges and obstacles, including poor road infrastructure that often hinders book mobilization. He even had an accident due to a pothole. Furthermore, many people still don’t understand the importance of literacy because access to it has been minimal.
Nevertheless, Irfan chooses to persevere. The consistent weekly attendance of children is the biggest reason he continues this movement. He believes that big changes can start from small, consistent steps.
Irfan’s Hopes for the Younger Generation
Quoting Anies Baswedan, Irfan believes that education is the responsibility of every educated person. Therefore, he wants the Pendopo Street Library to continue to exist in the community and become a space of hope for children in his area.
“In this one life, be a good person. Someone who is useful to others,” said Irfan.
Writer: Meutia Izzati Humaira
