Every October, Indonesia celebrates Language and Literature Month to commemorate the importance of the Indonesian language as a national identity and to celebrate the richness of literature as part of our culture. As a pioneer of digital innovation, Jakarta Smart City also supports preserving the Indonesian language and the development of literature through various features and services. Here are the innovations of Jakarta Smart City in preserving the Indonesian language and literature.

Book a Visit to PDS H.B. Jassin on JAKI

In support of preserving the Indonesian language and literature, Jakarta Smart City offers a feature to book visits to the literature documentation center through the JAKI application. The literature documentation center is Pusat Dokumentasi Sastra (PDS) H.B. Jassin, which serves as an archive center for Indonesian literature.

What is PDS H.B. Jassin?

PDS H.B. Jassin was founded by H.B. Jassin, an Indonesian literary critic who has contributed significantly to documenting Indonesian literary works from the independence era until today. This place functions as a repository of more than 170,000 collections, including manuscripts, rare books, scripts, correspondence, handwritten works, prose documents, poetry, drama, clippings, research, paintings, photographs, and new books. These collections are an invaluable part of Indonesia’s literary heritage.

PDS H.B. Jassin preserves literary works and is an important reference source for researchers, academics, and Indonesian literature enthusiasts. Visitors can find original manuscripts and works by major Indonesian literary figures such as Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Chairil Anwar, and Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, offering deep insights into the development of Indonesian literature over time.

PDS H.B. Jassin is open daily, from Monday to Thursday (09:00—17:00) and Friday to Sunday (09:00—20:00), serving all visitors interested in exploring Indonesia’s literary treasures. Additionally, PDS H.B. Jassin also facilitates research for those who wish to delve deeper into the history and development of literature.

Also read: Taking a Stroll to H.B. Jassin Library 

Steps to Register for a Visit to PDS H.B. Jassin via JAKI:

• Open the JAKI application;
• Type ‘Library’ in the search bar on the Homepage;
• Select Jakarta Library. Smartcitizens will immediately enter JakLitera.
• Click Account.
• Log in or register an account;
• Click Member Code;
• You will receive a QR code as a visit ticket that you need to scan at the library destination.

Check Availability of Literary Documents Through JAKI

The libraries under the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government store many collections of Indonesian literature. Through the Jakarta Library feature in the JAKI application, citizens can search for and check the availability of books or literary documents in various libraries, including fiction, nonfiction, and novels by Indonesian authors.

This feature makes it easy for residents to access book collections digitally, check the availability of books, and even make reservations for both physical and digital loans. Users only need to enter the title or the author’s name in the search column, and this feature will display which libraries have the book.

How to Check the Availability of Literary Documents in JAKI:

• Open the JAKI application;
• Click ‘Library’ in the search bar on the Homepage;
• Select Jakarta Library. You will be directed to JakLitera. Make sure you are logged in. If not, register an account by clicking Account first.
• After logging in, click Explore on the JakLitera Homepage.
• Select the Literary Documents feature;
• Click on the literary document you desire. The location details of the library providing the document will appear.

With this feature, Jakarta residents can easily find and enjoy Indonesian literary works in local libraries, supporting literacy development and love for the Indonesian language.

Borrow Books from Jakarta Libraries via JAKI

Through JAKI, Jakarta Smart City not only provides access for visit registrations, checking literary documents, and viewing catalogs of Indonesian-language books and novels but also allows Jakarta residents to order books they wish to borrow from libraries under the DKI Jakarta Provincial Library and Archives Office. Residents can choose the destination library with the book collection they are looking for and reserve the book for direct pickup.

How to Order Books from Jakarta Libraries Through JAKI:

• Open the JAKI application on your device.
• Select the Jakarta Library icon on the application homepage.
• Search for your favorite book or novel using the search column.
• Click Borrow This Book.
• Select an available library. Click Next. Once done, the book is successfully borrowed.
• Visit the library to collect the reserved book.

With this feature, Jakarta Smart City makes it easier for Jakarta residents to order books they want to read without going directly to the library. This easy and practical ordering process supports the literacy culture and facilitates citizens' engagement with Indonesian literature through reading.

Collaboration with Language Communities

Jakarta Smart City (JSC) actively collaborates with various language communities, including the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association I, to support the use of the Indonesian language in public spaces and enrich Jakarta Smart City’s services. Since 2023, the partnership between JSC and the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association has resulted in several significant collaborations. One is the Abdi Bahasa Kepulauan Seribu program, which took place on Tidung Island. This program aims to promote digital literacy among young people by utilizing technology to enhance their language skills and knowledge.

Additionally, JSC and the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association have collaborated in a special audience event introducing the Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI) to individuals with hearing and speech impairments. This program is designed to help them measure their language abilities while promoting inclusivity in Jakarta.

The DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association I also provides hosts for every JSC program and event, utilizing their members' excellent public speaking skills. This collaboration ensures that JSC’s messages are conveyed effectively and professionally to the public.

Jakarta Smart City's future partnerships with language communities will continue to expand. In addition to ongoing collaborations with the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association and existing networks, such as I Am Polyglot and Polyglot Indonesia, Jakarta Smart City plans to establish partnerships with other language communities. It also aims to diversify its collaborations, such as providing subtitles in Indonesian and foreign languages for Jakarta Smart City’s digital products and content, enhancing information accessibility and comprehension for residents. This initiative is expected to strengthen the language and literacy ecosystem in Jakarta and support language programs at both the local and national levels.

Voice Mode Feature for Disabilities on the Jakarta Smart City Website

As a center of technological innovation, Jakarta Smart City is committed to providing digital services that are not only advanced but also support language and literacy for all segments of society, including persons with disabilities. By developing a bilingual disability feature with the Indonesian language on various websites managed by Jakarta Smart City, such as the JSC corporate website, Public Response, and Flood Monitoring, Jakarta Smart City ensures that every user can access information comfortably and easily.

Several features can be used on the disability feature. However, the Indonesian language mode is specifically used in the Voice Mode, which allows users with hearing impairments to obtain information audibly, including in Indonesian. By combining technology and language, Jakarta Smart City strengthens the use of the Indonesian language while also supporting broader digital literacy. This innovation makes technology a tool that empowers all citizens to interact better in the digital world.

Read also: Efforts for Disability Inclusion in Jakarta

From the explanation above, it can be concluded that Jakarta Smart City plays an important role in supporting the use of the Indonesian language and the development of literature through various innovative digital features. From access to visiting PDS H.B. Jassin, and checking the availability of literary documents, to the disability features in Indonesian on the website managed by JSC, all of these are important steps in keeping the Indonesian language and literature relevant in the modern era. As citizens of Jakarta, let’s actively celebrate Language and Literature Month by exploring the richness of our literature and culture!