“Our goal is to manage knowledge as a foundation for character building. I learned this when I studied community development in Japan in 1996. People in Japan know how to manage knowledge, be it positive or negative one,” said Wien.
From Japan, Wien, an avid reader, was offered to manage a library at the Education and Culture Ministry, then the National Library.
“Opening a library is not something new for me. During college, I once opened a library with friends in Margonda, Depok, near the University of Indonesia. Also in Duren Tiga, Cempaka Putih, and the Mandiri Museum in Kota Tua,” he said.
But with BDT, Wien used his own money. He made the reading space as comfortable as possible. When entering the building, visitors will be led downstairs to a room used as coffee and food stall. On the second floor, the library is divided into several rooms, namely Roy B.B. Janis meeting room, reading room, reflection room and work space.
“Visitors are allowed to eat, drink, discuss, except in the work room because it is soundproof and can only be used through reservations. It is suitable for communities to produce podcasts. The space here is also open for rent if certain communities want to hold an event,” explained Wien.