South Tangerang, FAH Online News – Students of the Library Science Study Program, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, organized a literacy program titled RIMBA (Joyful Reading and Story Sharing) as part of the final project for the End-of-Semester Examination (UAS) in the Library Management course. Initiated by Group 3 of Class 4D, Semester 4, the program was held on Sunday (July 5, 2026) at the Al-Ikhwaniyah Orphanage and Dhuafa Dormitory in Pondok Ranji, South Tangerang City.

The RIMBA program was designed to foster children's interest in reading and strengthen literacy culture through educational, creative, and enjoyable activities. Beyond serving as a community engagement initiative, the program also represented a practical application of the concepts learned in the Library Management course, particularly the core management functions of planning, organizing, actuating, and controlling.

The event began at 2:00 p.m. (WIB) and was hosted by Angel Aisyah Dewi and Lilis Tazkiyatul Himah. A warm and welcoming atmosphere was established from the outset as Pratama Zumar led the opening prayer, joined by the children, dormitory staff, and the organizing committee.

The program continued with opening remarks from the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Ahmad Yasik Hayes, who expressed his hope that the event would provide an enjoyable learning experience for the children while strengthening students' sense of social responsibility. The Head of the Al-Ikhwaniyah Orphanage and Dhuafa Dormitory, Mr. Ihsan Sholeh, then officially opened the event and conveyed his appreciation for the students' initiative.

The highlight of the program was a storytelling session featuring a traditional folktale from Yogyakarta entitled Lilo's Tears (Air Mata Lilo). Unlike conventional storytelling methods, Group 3 introduced an innovative digital approach by presenting the story through an interactive HTML-based visual platform. The storytelling media had been independently designed and developed by the organizing committee during the preparation stage.

The storytelling experience became even more engaging through role-play dialogues performed by the committee members, bringing each character vividly to life. The combination of expressive narration and interactive visuals successfully captured the children's attention, encouraging them to follow the story with great enthusiasm.

To assess the participants' understanding of the story and its moral values, the committee divided the children into two groups, each accompanied by a mentor. The evaluation was conducted through an interactive quiz consisting of three questions related to Lilo's Tears. Children who answered correctly received prizes in appreciation of their active participation.

Following a short snack break, the program continued with various group games involving all participants. In addition to creating a fun and lively atmosphere, these activities were designed to promote teamwork, build self-confidence, and strengthen the relationship between the university students and the children.

As the event drew to a close, the committee announced the winners of both the quiz and the group games, who were welcomed with joyful applause. As a token of appreciation for the dormitory's cooperation and support, Ahmad Yasik Hayes, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, symbolically presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Ihsan Sholeh, Head of the Al-Ikhwaniyah Orphanage and Dhuafa Dormitory. The program concluded with a group photo session involving all participants, dormitory staff, and committee members.

Through the RIMBA program, the students of the Library Science Study Program hope to provide children with a memorable literacy experience while fostering a lifelong love of reading. The integration of interactive HTML-based visual media is expected to create a more engaging learning environment, encouraging children to see reading not as a tedious activity but as an exciting journey of exploration and imagination.

More than simply fulfilling an academic requirement, RIMBA demonstrates how university students can integrate the knowledge gained in the classroom with the needs of the community. It is hoped that this initiative will inspire the development of more creative literacy programs that deliver meaningful benefits to society, particularly in nurturing a generation that enjoys reading and embraces lifelong learning.

Author: Zaskia Syahda Hafizha Kurniawan

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