There actually are a few libraries in Jakarta, but you would have a tough time finding them. Since building new libraries is not an option, Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama wants to go the digital route. He recently revealed his plans to create an online library system for the capital which he is going to call “iJakarta.”
Ahok said the idea first came to him from a foreign engineer who offered to create a book storage application for Jakarta. But after looking into it, he found a group of students in Yogyakarta working on a similar project.
“Apparently there are kids in Jogja that can make our version. I said, you go ahead and make it. Because I do not want anymore schools in Jakarta that have libraries but the book have been eaten by termites,” Ahok said at City Hall last Friday as quoted by Merdeka.
According Ahok, the system will be able to save money from the city budget since the online library can be accessed from anywhere and anytime.
However, the governor admitted that he had only found one publisher so far who was interested in the concept. He said most were reluctant to sign on because they fear it could cut into their profits.
Hopefully the system is built in such a way that schools and students can simply use iJakarta instead of having to buy multiple books every year.
