Dreaming of towering bookshelves that reach toward the sky? Here at the Pusat Layanan Pustaka, that dream becomes reality. This isn’t just any library. It is a national treasure. The National Library of Indonesia stands tall. It claims the title of the world’s tallest library building.
Established in 1980, the National Library of Indonesia consolidated four libraries. It aimed to create a central hub for the nation’s literary resources. The library’s origins trace back even further to 1778. The Royal Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences laid the groundwork. This society fostered scholarship and collected numerous publications. Its library moved to Merdeka Square in 1868.
The National Library of Indonesia’s current building opened in 2017. It boasts 27 floors and reaches a height of 127 meters. Tien Suharto supported the earlier library building in 1988. Joko Widodo inaugurated the new building. The library’s design embraces green building concepts. It incorporates technology like Radio-frequency identification for security.
Let’s explore the Pusat Layanan Pustaka’s many floors. The main entrance features a plaza. Four large rooms display the history of Indonesian reading. The script room showcases a digital map of Indonesia. It tells the story of literacy. Another room explains the development of writing media. It displays historical items like bamboo writing tools and lontar leaves. Glass cases exhibit scripts from across Indonesia.
Paintings of Indonesian presidents grace the main lobby. A giant bookshelf stretches to the fourth floor. It showcases encyclopedias, novels and books on traditional fabrics.
The Pusat Layanan Pustaka dedicates each floor to specific collections and services. Floors 10 to 13 house deposits and closed monograph collections. Rare books reside on the 14th floor. The 15th floor serves as Indonesia’s reference center. Maps, photos, and classic paintings can be found on the 16th floor. The Indonesian Sciences Academy occupies floors 17 and 18. Multimedia resources are available on the 19th floor. Current and old newspapers are on the 20th floor. General books fill floors 21 to 24. Military books are on the 21st. Religion books are on the 21st. Novels are on the 21st. Computer books are on the 21st. Health books are on the 21st. Language books are on the 21st. International affairs books are on the 23rd. Indonesian books are on the 24th. The top floor features an executive lounge. It offers panoramic views of the Monas area.
The Pusat Layanan Pustaka provides services for all. The seventh floor caters to children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Children can enjoy a colorful service room filled with books and toys. The elderly and disabled can access health books and Braille materials. The eighth floor offers an audiovisual room. You can watch films or read old newspapers on microfilm. The ninth floor houses ancient texts from across the archipelago.
The Pusat Layanan Pustaka plays a vital role. It promotes literacy and preserves Indonesia’s cultural heritage. It maintains bibliographies of Pancasila. It maintains bibliographies of Javanese manuscripts. The library also develops its own computer system.
As you leave the Pusat Layanan Pustaka, consider its significance. It is more than just a building filled with books. It is a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to knowledge. It preserves culture. It inspires future generations.