Perpustakaan Jakarta PDS H.B Jassin
If you're looking for a public library that is enjoyable to spend time in, WFA-able, and child-friendly, Perpustakaan Jakarta might be exactly what you need.
Cikini, Central Jakarta · 09.00–22.00 WIB daily · Free entry
By Meysa Khadizah
Perpustakaan Jakarta and PDS H.B. Jassin is a modern public library and literary documentation center located inside Taman Ismail Marzuki in Cikini, Central Jakarta. The name reflects the two important parts of this place: Perpustakaan Jakarta as a public library, and PDS H.B. Jassin as a special center for Indonesian literary archives.
PDS H.B. Jassin has been an important part of Indonesian literary history for a long time. It started from the literary collection of H.B. Jassin, a well-known Indonesian literary figure, and later became a documentation center from many Indonesian writers.
After reopening with a new design in 2022, Perpustakaan Jakarta and PDS H.B. Jassin has become one of the most popular reading and study spots in the city. Visitors can read books, work on a laptop, study, join events, explore literary collections, or simply enjoy the space.
The space is spacious, and comfortable, and has many seating areas across several floors. Whether you are a student, a worker, a parent with children, or just someone who wants to spend time around books, this library is an easy and enjoyable place to visit.
Location & Access
How to Enter
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02
03
Address
Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya No.73, Jakarta Pusat
Nearest Transit
- Cikini Station (KRL)
_ TransJakarta Cikini
- Jaklingo routes
Register as a member via the Jaklitera platform/web.
Complete your profile and verify your account.
Scan your member barcode at the entrance gate.
You might need to prepare in advance or cretae account before peak hours especially on weekends.
Tip:
Before reaching the main library area, you will pass through the lower floors of Gedung Ali Sadikin. This section functions as an arrival and transition area that connects the public area of Taman Ismail Marzuki with the library entrance on the upper floor.
The area includes food and drink tenants, small shops, public seating, and gallery spaces. Visitors can stop at tenants such as Kopi Kenangan, Makan Truss, Teh Kotjok, Sari Teboo, and Alfamart before going upstairs.
The seating area can be used as a waiting point, especially for visitors who come with friends or family. Since this floor is located before the library entrance, it also helps separate the busier public area from the quieter reading floors above.
The gallery spaces add another function to this floor. Visitors may find visual art displays or exhibition areas before continuing to the library. From this section, visitors can take the escalator to the 3rd floor to access the registration area and library entrance.
2nd Floor - Arrival Area
This floor also has the first service point, including the information area and staff assistance. Visitors can ask questions about registration, membership, library rules, or directions to different library floors.
Lockers are also available in this area for storing personal belongings before entering the library. From the lobby, visitors can continue to the upper floors to access the reading areas, collections, and other library facilities.
After reaching the 3rd floor, visitors enter the main lobby of Perpustakaan Jakarta. This floor works as the first official entry point before visitors continue to the main library areas on the upper floors.
The check-in process is completed here using the QR code from JakLitera. Visitors need to scan the code before entering, so it is better to prepare the QR code before arriving at the entrance.
3rd Floor – Lobby & Check-In Area
The storytelling booth also adds a special function to this floor. It can be used for reading activities, storytelling sessions, or other children’s literacy programs. Because of these facilities, this floor support more interactive learning activities for visitors.
One of the most unique parts of this floor is the book shelving along the staircase. The stair area becomes a stair reading corner that creates a layered, vertical reading zone that almost feels like sitting inside a stack of stories.
The 4th floor is one of the more family-friendly areas in Perpustakaan Jakarta. This floor includes the family reading room, children’s collections, a storytelling booth, and a play area, so the space is mainly designed for children, parents, and families who visit together.
The family reading room gives parents and children a more suitable place to read together. The children’s collections are arranged in a way that makes them easier to explore, while the play area gives children another space to move around and spend time more comfortably.
4th Floor – Children & Family Reading Area
This floor also has a general reading room with seating areas and bookshelves for regular reading activities. Visitors who need more privacy can use the private reading cubicles, while small groups can use the discussion booths for conversation, group study, or collaborative work.
There is also a podcast recording booth for visitors who need a space for audio-related activities. Inclusive spaces are available as well.
The 5th floor is one of the main reading areas in Perpustakaan Jakarta. This floor provides a more complete space for visitors who want to read, study, work, or use more specific facilities. This level is more suitable for students, and adults.
As you walk up, books are integrated into the steps and walls, creating a small reading village inside the library. The cozy corners welcome visitors to slow down, sit for a while, and choose their own reading spot.
5th Floor – General Reading Area
The reference area and Karya Cetak dan Karya Rekam room make this level useful for visitors who need more specific materials. The collection scanning area also supports visitors who need to access or process library materials in a more practical way.
With its mix of public reading spaces and supporting facilities, the 6th floor works like a bridge between regular library use and the services behind the collection. It continues the reading journey from the lower floors, but with a stronger focus on research, documentation, and collection support.
After passing the general reading area on the 5th floor, the 6th floor brings visitors into a more research-focused part of Perpustakaan Jakarta. This floor is still open for reading, but the facilities are more connected to reference use, collection access, and library support services.
The 6th floor includes the reference area, Karya Cetak dan Karya Rekam room, general collections, youth and adult book collections, and a collection scanning area. This floor also features a pre-function area and access to the library management room.
6th Floor – Reference Area
Besides its archive and reading functions, PDS H.B. Jassin also has spaces that support activities and creative work. Facilities such as Aula PDS H.B. Jassin and Ruang Berkarya are used for discussions, workshops, community programs, and other literature-related events.
Because of this, PDS H.B. Jassin does not only work as a documentation center. It also functions as a literary space where collections, research, discussion, and creative activities can meet in one building.
Sharing the building from the 4th to the 7th floor, PDS H.B. Jassin is a separate institution inside the same library complex. It focuses on Indonesian literary archives, documentation, and collections related to Indonesian writers.
This center stores manuscripts, rare collections, literary documents, and materials connected to the legacy of H.B. Jassin. These collections make the space important for visitors who are interested in Indonesian literature, literary history, and archival materials.
7th Floor - PDS H.B. Jassin Literary Documentation Centre
HOW IT FEELS TO SPEND TIME HERE
Spending time at Perpustakaan Jakarta feels like being in a public space that genuinely invites you to stay. The atmosphere changes throughout the day and on different days of the week.
Weekday Mornings
The library feels calm, quiet, and productive. Natural light pours through the large windows and fills the reading areas, creating a bright and focused atmosphere. It is an ideal time for those who want to read, study, or work without distraction. The number of visitors is lower, so finding a good seat is easy.
Afternoons
The space becomes more dynamic as the day goes on. More visitors arrive, university students, freelancers, and families, and the surrounding activity level rises slightly. Despite the added movement, the library maintains its comfort. Conversations are kept to appropriate volumes, and the variety of people present gives the space lively but still manageable.
Weekends
Weekends bring a different crowd. Families with children, friend groups, and students come in larger numbers. The children's area on the 4th floor becomes active, with kids exploring the storytelling booth and play spaces. Even on the busiest days, the space feels organized, which speaks to how well the layout and facilities are designed to accommodate different types of visitors at once.
Space Area
Perpustakaan Jakarta is spread across several floors within the Gedung Ali Sadikin (Gedung Panjang) at the Taman Ismail Marzuki area. After entering the building, you make your way up to the main reading areas on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors, but to reach the main area, you'll pass through several sections first.
Special Collections
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Koleksi Kejakartaan
Curated collection about Jakarta's history, culture, architecture, and daily life. Relevant and curated to meet the community's needs.
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PDS H.B. Jassin Literary Archives
170,000 collections including poetry, essays, books, magazines, clippings, manuscripts, letters, and audio & video recordings from Indonesia's literary figures.
Digital Access (JAKLITERA)
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E-Membership
Access services in 6 Jakarta libraries, including catalog search, inter-library loan (OCAL), and book donations. -
Titik Baca
QR codes in airports, stations, bus stops, and hospitals allow digital access within 100 meters without login.
School Materials
COLLECTIONS
138,000
Total Collections at Perpustakaan Jakarta
4,395
Collections at PDS H.B. Jassin
124,983
Registered Titles on JAKLITERA
Main Collection Categories
0–6 Years Old
7–9 Years Old
10–12 Years Old
Reference Collection
General Collection
Languages of Collection
Indonesian
French
Dutch
German
English
Spanish
Reading & Study Spaces
Open reading areas, private study carrels, reading lounges, and stair reading spots with ergonomic tables and natural light across 3 floors.
Discussion & Event Spaces
Discussion booths for groups, and a multipurpose hall for seminars, workshops, community events, and book launches.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Inclusive room with Braille books, audiobooks, file reader, and computers with sign language systems for visitors with disabilities.
Available
Locker & Entry System
Lockers for all visitors. Only essential items are allowed inside (phone, wallet, gadget, stationery). Transparent bags are provided.
FACILITIES
Podcast & Multimedia
Free podcast studio, silent piano (via headset), and multimedia room equipped with audiovisual devices for educational movies and music.
Children's Area
Play area with puzzles, busy boards, and Bilik Cerita (storytelling room) for read-aloud and weekend programs.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Free WiFi across the building and computer access for research, audiobooks, and academic activities.
Other Facilities
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Musala (Prayer Room)
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Free WiFi
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Toilets
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Café & Food Tenants (Lower Floor)
PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Baca Jakarta
Baca Jakarta is a reading program that encourages Jakarta residents to build a reading habit. Participants register through the JAKLITERA platform and record the books they read during the program period. Active readers can also receive recognition or rewards.
Flagship Programs
Piala H.B. Jassin
Piala H.B. Jassin is an annual literary competition held to honor H.B. Jassin’s contribution to Indonesian literature. The competition includes literary categories such as writing and poetry. It has become one of the important literary programs connected to Perpustakaan Jakarta and PDS H.B. Jassin
Workshop Membaca
Workshop Membaca is a reading workshop held in several sessions. The program helps participants improve their reading skills, understand texts better, and enjoy books more deeply. It is open to different age groups.
Literacy Visits
Schools from kindergarten to senior high school often visit the library as part of their learning activities. These visits focus on introducing students to reading habits, library collections, and literacy culture in a fun and educational way.
Regular Activities
Storytelling / Balas Buku
Storytelling and book review activities are usually held for younger visitors. These sessions make reading feel more fun and interactive.
Study Tours
Study tours give visitors a guided introduction to how the library works as a public institution. These activities may include an explanation of the library’s collections, facilities, services, floor areas, and the role of Perpustakaan Jakarta and PDS H.B. Jassin.
Children’s Literacy Activities
The children’s area also has regular literacy activities, such as creative play, reading challenges, and programs made for different age groups. These activities help children enjoy books from an early age.
Seminars & Community Events
Perpustakaan Jakarta also holds seminars, public talks, and community events throughout the year. The topics may include literature, culture, education, and public issues.
Special Events
Karya Raya
Karya Raya is a children’s book exhibition where children can submit and display their own original books. This event gives young writers a chance to share their creativity with more people.
Night at the Library
Night at the Library is an after-hours event held at the library. It may include poetry readings, live music, stand-up comedy, and other performances. During this event, the library feels more like a cultural venue and attracts different kinds of visitors.
WHAT VISITORS SAY
The library's design is attractive, the book arrangement is neat, and the atmosphere is modern. Overall, it is a comfortable place to visit with family, especially to enjoy a literary atmosphere in the middle of the city.
— Widia Hartono, Google Reviews
Besides reading, the space is also comfortable for working on a laptop or having discussions with friends. Many seats come with power outlets, making it quite supportive for work or study sessions.
— Hanief Al Naufal, Google Reviews
The space is modern, bright, and thoughtfully designed, with plenty of comfortable seating and large windows that let in natural light. It feels more like a contemporary creative hub than a typical public library.
— Ryan Kim, Google Reviews