As night falls on Jakarta, the lights inside the city’s libraries will now stay on longer, welcoming readers, students, and literature lovers until late in the evening. In a major push to promote literacy and public access to knowledge, the Jakarta Provincial Government has extended the operating hours of several Jakarta libraries, including the iconic Jakarta Library and the HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center (PDS).
Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that these two cultural landmarks are now open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Previously, both were only accessible until 4:00 p.m.
“We’re now opening the main library in Cikini, and once the renovation is complete, we also plan to open Nyi Ageng Serang until the evening,” said Pramono, as quoted by Media Indonesia on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The policy doesn’t stop there. Pramono added that five public libraries—one under each city administration across the capital—are also now operating late into the evening. This initiative, he emphasized, will give residents more opportunities to visit libraries after working hours.
“I’ve also asked each mayor to open the five libraries under their city’s administration into the night,” he stated.
Jakarta currently boasts 23 libraries with top-tier A accreditation. Eight of them are managed directly by the provincial government. The remaining libraries belong to various schools, from elementary through high school.
“To support this, the Head of the Library Service will coordinate with the Education Office to make full use of these facilities. Literacy development doesn’t only happen in libraries—it can happen anywhere, including mobile libraries,” he explained.
The governor even expressed readiness to manage the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas), which is currently overseen by the central government. If granted authority, Pramono said he would extend its opening hours as well.
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“If Jakarta were given the opportunity to manage it, I would definitely open it until the evening—if permitted,” he said.
For now, these are the libraries confirmed to operate until 10:00 p.m.:
- Jakarta Library and HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center
- Public Library of Central Jakarta Administration
- Public Library of North Jakarta Administration
- Public Library of South Jakarta Administration
- Public Library of East Jakarta Administration
- Public Library of West Jakarta Administration
Residents are encouraged to check each library’s official social media for updates, particularly in case of changes due to specific circumstances.
