Ministry of Villages Decree No. 3 Year 2024: Guidelines for Village Community Reading Centers

The issuance of Kepmendesa PDTT Number 3 of 2024 aims to foster a culture of reading among rural communities through the establishment and standardized management of Village Community Reading Centers (Taman Bacaan Masyarakat or TBM). This policy serves as a strategic response to the low literacy levels in Indonesia and positions the village as the primary catalyst for improving the national Human Development Index (HDI).

The Urgency of Literacy in Villages

According to UNESCO (2021), Indonesia’s reading index is significantly low at 0.01%, meaning only 1 in 1,000 people possesses a strong interest in reading. This lack of literacy hinders human resources from adapting to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0. TBMs are recognized as non-formal educational institutions mandated by Law No. 23 of 2003 to provide learning resources that match the intellectual and social growth of the community.

Core Pillars of TBM Management

Effective TBM management ensures optimal access to knowledge. Under the 2024 guidelines, management must cover several key aspects:

• Acquisition & Cataloging: Identifying community needs and systematically indexing materials so users can find information efficiently.
• User Services: Providing loans, references, and information search assistance to ensure fast and effective access to collections.
• Collection Maintenance: Organizing and conserving books—especially those with historical or cultural value—to protect them from physical damage.
• Professional Development: Ensuring TBM managers continuously update their skills in library and information science.
• IT Integration: Adopting digital library management systems and electronic databases to increase accessibility.
• Partnership & Collaboration: Networking with external institutions, organizations, or individuals to enrich collections and expand community impact.
• Evaluation & Measurement: Assessing the impact of TBM services on the community to ensure they meet local needs.

Funding and Sustainability

Funding for a Village TBM is a critical factor for long-term sustainability. Financial support may be sourced from various streams depending on local government policies and community initiatives, including Village Funds (Dana Desa), self-funding by the community (swadana), or non-binding partnerships with the private sector.

Strategic Governance Impact

A well-managed Village TBM serves as more than just a library; it acts as a motivator, mediator, and agent of cultural change. By institutionalizing these centers, the village government directly supports Village SDG 4: Quality Education. Increasing the reading interest at the village level is a fundamental foundation for creating superior human resources, which ultimately improves the village’s education and economic health metrics.

Visit the Village Regulations page for official access.