Bung Karno Library Stays Open Until Night—Few Visitors, Rising Costs? A Regular Reader Speaks Out

BLITAR — The announcement that Bung Karno Library (Perpus BK) would extend its opening hours until 8:00 p.m. was welcome news for many. The policy, first introduced in June 2025, was later extended through December 2025. Yet behind the excitement, questions remain: Do people actually want a library that stays open at night—and can it afford to do so?

For Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz, a Blitar-based remote worker, evening hours are a rare luxury for a public library. His workday usually ends after 4:00 p.m., making daytime visits difficult. With the new schedule, he can head to the library after evening prayers, stopping first for a plate of Pecel Punten—a local specialty sold just south of the library—or planning to hang out around the Santika area afterward.

“I usually have about an hour and a half to read. That’s around 30 to 40 pages,” Ahmad said. At that pace, he can finish a book in five to eight visits. These days, he prefers reading on site rather than borrowing books, especially since he already has reading obligations on iPusnas—the national digital library—along with dozens of articles he edits daily for work.

Reading at the library, especially at night, offers a different experience, he noted. Air-conditioned rooms, quiet surroundings, and distance from household distractions create what he calls a “recreational effect”—something he doesn’t get reading in his bedroom or on the porch at home.

But there is a downside.

“Most nights, it’s very quiet. Reading alone in a large room isn’t exactly pleasant,” he admitted. “It’s a bit eerie, honestly.”

According to Ahmad, the library only feels lively when events are being held. On regular evenings, the number of people at the reading tables can often be counted on one hand. That reality raises a lingering question in his mind: will these extended hours continue next year?

The concern is not unfounded. Staying open at night likely requires staff to work in two shifts, possibly with overtime pay. Operational costs—electricity for lighting and air conditioning—also increase. Without a proportional rise in visitors, the numbers may not add up.

“For an institution like Bung Karno Library, nighttime operations are high-cost,” Ahmad said. Amid broader budget efficiency pressures, such services could easily be scaled back.

He acknowledged that although he personally benefits from evening hours, he cannot promise to visit regularly. His habits at other libraries tell a similar story. Even when regional libraries open on weekends, he usually visits only once every two weeks—and often only when there’s a special event.

By contrast, Blitar City Library has managed to keep its evening hours. It is even preparing a dedicated corner for a literacy café, hoping to attract more visitors.

“That’s probably how it has to be,” Ahmad reflected. “You need plenty of incentives to get people to come to a library—especially in a city like Blitar.”

Extending Bung Karno Library’s hours may signal a strong commitment to expanding access to knowledge. Still, without a significant increase in visitors, the policy risks becoming a financial burden. Caught between the ideals of literacy and the realities of operational costs, the library now finds itself at a crossroads.