The Banten Village Library in Andeglang is growing. As the first Cinta Baca village library in the area of Banten, this library is getting more visits from the community. Around 10-30 people come to visit the library and check out books every day. The people are very enthusiastic to read the books available at this library. We are currently searching for a new permanent place for this library. The building being used currently is being rented and is too small for this growing library. The small place has prevented us from doing any educational activities.  Cinta Baca will need around 100 million Rupiahs to purchase a simple building to accommodate the library. We currently have 75 million available and are looking to raise the remaining amount in the coming months.

The Western Java region is growing stronger with a new Regional manager and a new Program staff. Dian Kusumawati fills the post of Regional Manager and Merziz has taken the position overseeing all the Programs. Much of January was devoted to training this new team to orientate them to the mission and vission of Cinta Baca and help them understand the our 2010 goals.

Having served the community for nearly 3 years, Bireuen village library has succeeded in opening 5 Reading Posts. This number will keep growing as we will meet the needs of the community and the field staff. One of the urgent needs for CB in Bireuen is a permanent place for the library. Up to this time the library has been housed in a rented building which lease is up at the end of March.

We are currently looking to purchase a small property for this library. However, the high price of land and buildings in this area has made it difficult to find one that fits our budget making the search harder. Currently 100 million rupiahs has been allocated for this purchase two months ago but the searching process will need to be extended. The existence of this village library is very important because it has been the only CB village library in Aceh and has function as the center for the development for CB’s activities in the three main districts of Central Aceh.

Kayu Agung-Sumsel in three months, starting in October 09, Kayu Agung Village Library has opened five new Reading Posts at five villages in the district of Ogan Komering Ilir. The new Reading Posts are:

1. CB Serinanti
2. CB Seriguna
3. CB Kijangbaru
4. CB Muarabaru
5. CB Betijaya.

People show an enthusiasm for these Reading Posts. Their interest can be seen by the number of people visiting and their hope for more books. These Reading Posts are opened every day. At least 10 people visit a Post each day. Two Reading Posts are opened at local government office, one at a teacher’s house and another one at a kindergarten. More Reading Posts are needed in this region. CB is planning to open six more on Feb-March.

Renovation Completed

Cinta Baca has invested 40 million Rupiahs to renovate this library. This will hopefully help CB Kayu Agung better serve the community through programs and make the library more attractive for both adults and young people.