Untuk versi Bahasa Indonesia dapat diakses di link ini.

A couple of weeks ago, someone sent me email responding to my post about Indonesian lack of reading interest. Her name is Alicia and she’s a lecturer from US on English Language Fellows program sponsored by US government and currently assigned in Universitas Andalas, Padang, West Sumatera. She told me about “The American Corner” in the library and some programs including a mobile library. We had discussion about improving “Culture of Reading” in Indonesia, which we know: very low.

She asked me some suggestions, how to attract students and more local people to read. Me, as an Indonesian, gave the most practical answer I could think about: Indonesians, especially the young people love gimmicks and following trends. I told her that she could produce bookmarks, stickers, or cheap pen for everyone who borrows-reads-returns a book. I told her that maybe she can appoint the “coolest” kids as a library ambassador.

The discussion touched me. I’ve always thought about this issue. I really want more Indonesians to grow reading habit because I deeply believe that it would improve our lives in a lot of aspects. I tell my closest ones to read, my brother, my best friends, or everyone that takes my suggetions seriously. However, when I read Alicia’s email, I realize that she is trying harder than me. She’s doing something real for my country, and I can feel her sincerity.

So I decided to do something real, as well.

I’m making a set of FREE printables that you can download and print for free. There are 4 bookmarks, 3 mini posters, 2 reading list template, and 2 rounded stickers. I designed it with Kelincuy and the Hipster Cat. I made the Kelincuy designs more feminine while the Hipster Cat ones are more suitable for boys 🙂 For the mini posters, I also made the combined version of them so it can be used for couples.

• Download the PDF for bookmarks here
• Download the PDF for mini posters here
• Download the PDF for reading list here
• Download the PDF for rounded stickers here

So now you print them and it would look like these:

I hope that by having these cute bookmarks, stickers, posters, and reading list, we all will be reminded and motivated to read 🙂 You can use them, print them as many as you want and give them to people around you. Give it to your brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, neighboring kids, friends, even random strangers you meat near the library or bookstore.

Let’s spread the spirit and good habit!

Let’s do it! Let’s go reading!