Bandung, 2024 – The Library and Information Science Study Program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, has established a strategic collaboration with the Provincial Government of Banten through a joint research initiative on reading behavior and habits of the community. This partnership marks a concrete step in supporting literacy improvement and human resource development in Banten.
The collaborative research aimed to measure the community’s reading habits through indicators such as frequency, intensity, number of reading materials, and access to online information. Conducted with 1,000 respondents aged 10–69 years across eight districts and cities in Banten, the study found that the community’s Reading Enthusiasm Index reached 69.46, a score categorized as high.
The findings revealed that reading books, non-book materials, and digital content has become part of daily activities for the people of Banten. However, the study also showed that the use of public libraries remains relatively low. This highlights the need for stronger strategies to transform libraries into inclusive and adaptive public literacy spaces.
This collaborative effort involved lecturers and students from the Library and Information Science Study Program, including Yunus Winoto, Andri Yanto, Elnovani Lusiana, Evi Nursanti Rukmana, Falih Ijlal Septian, Lusi Romaddyniah Sujana, and Yunnisa Nabila Putri Abduh. Through this collaboration with the Provincial Government of Banten, the research is expected to serve as a foundation for strengthening literacy policies, developing library facilities, and fostering a sustainable reading culture.
The partnership aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), by enhancing access to literacy and lifelong learning, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by ensuring equal access to literacy for all segments of society.
Through this collaboration, the Library and Information Science Study Program at Universitas Padjadjaran reaffirms its commitment to playing an active role in literacy development, community empowerment, and sustainable development driven by knowledge and innovation.
Writers: Evi Nursanti Rukmana, Febriyanti Bifakhlina, Shelpi Nur Awaliyah
