PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) continues to strengthen public literacy through the use of digital technology. This effort was marked by the launch of the Smart Reading (MACA) Program at the opening of the 2026 Bandung City Literacy Festival, which carried the theme "Reading Bandung, Writing the Future."

The festival, which took place on July 29–31, 2026, at the Bandung City Archives and Library Office (Disarpus), Jalan Seram Number 2, became a collaborative event for the government, academics, literacy communities, students, and the private sector in building a more inclusive and accessible literacy ecosystem.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said that the current literacy challenge is no longer forcing people to read books, but rather fostering curiosity which is then directed to sources of information that are correct and accountable.

"Literacy isn't just about reading thick books. It's curiosity explored through various media. The most important thing is how people can find the right information and use it," said Farhan.

According to him, technological advances have changed the way society acquires knowledge. Therefore, libraries must serve as a gateway to information that is easily accessible to all citizens.

Through the MACA program, people can simply scan a QR code to receive digital book recommendations and reading resources without having to purchase them. This platform is part of the transformation of digital-based library services, making them accessible anytime, anywhere.

Farhan also linked the importance of literacy to strengthening community character and the culture of mutual cooperation.

He believes the concept of "Citizens Protecting Citizens" remains relevant amidst changing times because it embodies the core value of mutual cooperation, Pancasila. He believes that communities can only protect each other if they possess the knowledge and awareness fostered through literacy.

"Literacy is key to helping people understand how to protect vulnerable groups like children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly. This knowledge will strengthen a culture of mutual care within the community," he said.

Farhan also encouraged the integration of the literacy movement with various government programs, including the eradication of illiteracy in the Quran, which not only teaches reading but also understanding translations and interpretations so as to foster public curiosity.

He stated that improving literacy is an urgent need because the education level of Bandung City residents continues to rise. Currently, around 10 percent of high school graduates in Bandung City continue their education to higher education, far above the national average.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Archives and Library Service, Dewi Kaniasari, explained that the 2026 Literacy Festival will be a collaborative platform for various stakeholders to strengthen the reading culture in Bandung City.

In addition to launching the MACA Program, awards were also given to the winners of the 2026 Bandung City Best Village Library Competition. The Gemilang Library from Padasuka Village, Cibeunying Kidul District, even made it into the top eight at the West Java Province level.

Dewi explained that the MACA platform is a collaboration between the Bandung City Archives and Library Service, PT Aksara Maya, and the School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at the Bandung Institute of Technology. The platform provides digital library services based on Android apps and the web, with an initial collection of 357 titles and 1,800 copies of digital books from various national publishers.

Initially, MACA access QR codes will be installed in approximately 100 indoor public spaces, such as service offices, community health centers, hospitals, malls, and other public facilities. The target is to reach 1,000 access points over the next few years.

In addition, the Bandung City Public Health Service will also launch the QR Code Reading Point innovation in open spaces and RoboBook, an interactive robot that provides a story-reading experience for children through a storytelling feature at the upcoming Bandung City Anniversary celebration.

Meanwhile, the Head of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, Aminudin Aziz, appreciated the Bandung City Government's commitment to building a collaboration-based literacy culture.

He said that Indonesian people actually have a high interest in reading if the reading materials available are in accordance with their needs and interests.

"The essence of literacy is not just reading and writing, but how people obtain information and then use it to improve their quality of life," said Aminudin.

He also emphasized the importance of managing literacy activity data. He noted that many community literacy activities have not been properly documented, thus failing to reflect the true state of literacy.

"I urge all the residents here to not make the festival their goal, but to instead focus on a much more fundamental process. More importantly, the process of gaining access and utilizing all the information around us to improve our quality of life," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)