ERASMUS HUIS LIBRARY
Kuningan, South Jakarta · 10.00 – 16.00 (Tue – Sat) · Free entry
If you are looking for a library that combines reading with exploration, Erasmus Huis can be a great choice.
By Meysa Khadizah
Erasmus Huis Library is located inside Erasmus Huis, the cultural center of the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta. Erasmus Huis itself has been part of Jakarta’s cultural scene since 1970.
For more than fifty years, Erasmus Huis has represented the cultural relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia. The place was built not only to introduce Dutch culture, but also to create a space where people from both countries can meet through art, language, literature, and public programs.
With this long cultural background, Erasmus Huis Library becomes part of a Dutch-Indonesian cultural center that carries stories, ideas, and historical connections between the two countries.
The library holds around 15,000 titles focusing on Dutch literature, Indonesian history, arts and culture, and children's books, all in a bright and spacious area. Whether you are interested in Dutch culture or international cultural spaces, Erasmus Huis Library is a meaningful place to explore.
Space Area
Walking into Erasmus Huis feels more like stepping into a gallery that happens to have books. The space is white, open, and visually clean with wooden bookshelves that double as walls, guiding you through the space like a curated path.
Above the main floor, the mezzanine level adds height and depth to the library. It follows the upper side of the room and makes use of the building’s high ceiling.
This level is mostly filled with bookshelves, so it becomes another browsing area rather than a completely separate floor. Its position above the main room gives visitors a different angle of the library.
Mezzaine Level
The main floor is the central reading area of Erasmus Huis Library. This area offers books, newspapers, magazines, and seating spaces where visitors can read, browse, or take a break.
The room is arranged in an open way, so the bookshelves and seats are easy to access. Instead of using many walls or closed sections, the library uses its furniture and shelves to shape the space.
Library & Reading Area
Exhibition Hall
Next to the library, there is an exhibition hall used for visual art, photography, and installation exhibitions. This area adds a stronger cultural function to Erasmus Huis beyond its library space.
The exhibition hall is usually open to visitors and does not require a separate ticket. Because it is located near the library, visitors can easily move between reading activities and exhibition viewing in one visit.
Auditorium
Erasmus Huis also has a spacious auditorium for cultural events. This room is used for concerts, film screenings, dance performances, theatre, lectures, and discussions.
The auditorium is one of the important event spaces in the building. It can seat around 320 people or accommodate up to 500 standing guests, so it supports both seated performances and larger public gatherings.
The wooden bookshelves give the room a warm contrast against the white interior. They also help guide visitors through the reading area, almost like a soft pathway between the collections and seating spots.
This main floor works well for a calm library visit. You can sit with a book, look through magazines, or simply enjoy the clean visual design while still feeling connected to the wider cultural center around it.
From the mezzanine, visitors can look down at the reading area below. This creates a balcony-like view, making the upper level feel quieter and slightly more tucked away.
The mezzanine also makes the library more visually interesting. It gives the space a layered structure, so the library feels open vertically as well as horizontally.
The exhibitions usually change every two to three months. The themes often highlight cultural connections between the Netherlands and Indonesia, as well as wider topics related to art, history, design, and society.
This changing exhibition space makes each visit feel slightly different. Even if you come mainly for the library, the exhibition hall can become another interesting part of the experience.
During regular library visits, the auditorium may not always be open because it is mainly used for scheduled programs.
When an event takes place, the auditorium becomes one of the liveliest parts of the center. It brings sound, movement, and audience interaction into the building, while the library remains a calmer space nearby.
HOW IT FEELS TO SPEND TIME HERE
Spending time at Erasmus Huis feels calm and refreshing. The white interior, wooden bookshelves, high ceiling, and quiet atmosphere make the space feel bright, clean, and comfortable. It is the kind of place that makes you slow down without even realizing it.
Mornings and Quiet Afternoons
On most weekday mornings, the library feels peaceful and unhurried. Natural light comes through the 35 large windows, and the open layout makes the space comfortable for reading. The number of visitors is usually low, so it is easy to walk around, choose a seat, and spend time with a book without many distractions.
During Exhibition Periods
Even when you come to the library, the exhibition hall can easily become part of the visit. Since the exhibitions change regularly, the space does not always feel the same. When a new exhibition opens, there may be more visitors moving between the gallery and the library, but the overall atmosphere still feels calm and organized.
During Events
When concerts, film screenings, or public programs are held, Erasmus Huis feels more lively. The auditorium becomes active, and more people gather around the building. These moments make the place feel like a cultural venue. Even so, the library area usually keeps its quiet feeling, like a calm corner inside a busier cultural space.
PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Monthly Programs
Bioskoop Erasmus / Family Film Screening
Bioskoop Erasmus is a regular film screening program held at Erasmus Huis. The films may include Dutch, international, and family-friendly films. Some screenings are also suitable for younger audiences and are usually held in the auditorium.
Music Concerts
Erasmus Huis also holds monthly music concerts with different genres, such as classical, jazz, folk, and indie music. These concerts often feature musicians from Indonesia and the Netherlands. Since the concerts are free, they become one of the most accessible programs at Erasmus Huis.
Pesta Cerita Anak / TaCita
TaCita is a children’s storytelling and activity program. It includes read-aloud sessions, interactive storytelling, and simple literacy activities. This program helps young visitors enjoy books and stories in a fun and relaxed way.
Public Lectures and Discussions
Erasmus Huis also holds talks, discussions, and symposiums on topics such as literature, history, design, art, and social-cultural issues. These sessions bring together speakers from different backgrounds and are open to visitors who are interested in the topic.
Major Exhibitions
Erasmus Huis regularly holds exhibitions that change every few months. The themes are varied, from sustainability and photography to batik, design, religion, and video games. Some recent exhibitions include Rethinking Waste / Bukan Tentang Sampah, LABBAYK: Here I Am, Clogs, Tulips and Video Games, and Jejak Batik.
Annual Events
World Press Photo Exhibition
The World Press Photo Exhibition is one of the annual events at Erasmus Huis. It presents strong photojournalism works from around the world and attracts many visitors, especially those who are interested in photography, journalism, and global issues.
Pasar Belanda
Pasar Belanda is one of the biggest annual events at Erasmus Huis. It celebrates the Dutch-Indonesian relationship through a market, live performances, film screenings, and cultural activities.
Erasmus Huis Club Night
Erasmus Huis Club Night is a music event featuring DJs and artists from Indonesia and the Netherlands. One of its most unique moments was when Erasmus Huis hosted a silent disco in a library setting, making the event feel different from a usual cultural program.
Newspapers & Magazines
COLLECTIONS
Main Collection Categories
Dutch Literature
Indonesian History
Art & Culture
Children's Books
English Translations
Languages
Collection Focus
Dutch
English
Indonesian
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Dutch fiction, poetry, and non-fiction
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Books on Dutch–Indonesian relations and history
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Arts, design, fashion, and culture
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Children's literature (Dutch & bilingual)
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Current newspapers and magazines
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Rule
To borrow books from the Erasmus Huis Library, become a member.
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Price
Rp 50,000 (Annual Membership) (Cash only)
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Benefits
1. Borrow up to 3 books
2. Loan period: 3 weeks
MEMBERSHIP
Library
Modern, friendly, and open reading space to read, study, or borrow books.
Auditorium
Main performance space for music, dance, film, and theatre.
Free Admission
All events and programs are free and open to the public.
FACILITIES
Exhibition Hall
Flexible gallery for visual arts, photography, and thematic exhibitions.
Event Space
The library can be used for seminars, workshops, and special events.
A comfortable place, even if it's just for resting and reading. Even though it's located on the edge of a busy courtyard, it's very quiet inside, and the atmosphere is also very comfortable.
— Fazri El, Google Reviews
WHAT VISITORS SAY
Great quiet spot to relax and read for a while, and a small cozy cafe with some classic Dutch treats on offer! Policy (new?) is that you can't use a laptop in this space, as the priority is for library goers to read.
— Robbert, Google Reviews
This place is really cool. The moment you walk in, it doesn't feel like you're in Indonesia anymore. Everyone is very friendly, from the security at the front to the security inside. It was also fun when there was a Dutch children's film screening. There's no parking here so it can be tricky if you bring a vehicle. The nearest TransJakarta stop is Halte Underpass Kuningan.
— Ka Vina, Google Reviews
Location & Access
Address
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta
Nearest Transit
- MRT Setiabudi Astra
- TransJakarta Kuningan
How to Enter
01
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Arrive at Erasmus Huis
Enter the library area
Register at the desk if you wish to borrow books
Tip:
Library access is free. Membership is only required for borrowing books.