Indonesia
English
Ketapang, 23 November 2022, held in the Library room of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic), a digital library launch took place. This event was attended by students, lecturers, educational staff, local government representatives, industry partners, and principals of SMA/SMK/MAN. The event was also attended by PT Gramedia Asri Media as the primary partner in developing the digital library at Politeknik Negeri Ketapang.
Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang Endang Kusmana in his remarks at the launch of the Politap digital library stated that books are windows to the world. This expression illustrates that reading is the initial step to opening and expanding one's knowledge in order to improve human resource quality, and one of the efforts to educate the nation's life is cultivating a reading habit.
The Director added that technological advancements provide convenience for humans in various aspects, and the presence of technology brings cultural and lifestyle changes for everyone. According to Endang, based on data in Indonesia, people have the habit of looking at smartphones for quite a long time, namely 5.5 hours per day; therefore, the newly formed culture needs to be provided with positive and educational content through a digital book reading platform.
Meanwhile, Andyka Yuni Prabowo, Assistant Wholesale Manager of Gramedia Kompas Group, expressed appreciation to Politap management for the established collaboration to support the Politap paperless program. According to Andyka, Gramedia as a media and publishing company supports every effort to enhance reading habits in society. This digital library program is expected to assist the government in the smart city process in the fields of education and culture. According to him, through the e-Perpus platform, various book titles available can be borrowed and read digitally by members.
Meanwhile, Nelly Kumila, Head of the Politap Library Unit (UPT Perpustakaan), stated that Politap's digital library allows students, lecturers, educational staff, and Politap partners to read books via their respective smartphones after registering as Politap library members. There are thousands of books that members can read anywhere, featuring contemporary titles distinctive of Gramedia Group.