South Tangerang, FAH News Online – 21 June 2025, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Library Science Study Program Students carry out Interactive Fable Storytelling activities: Increasing Children's Interest in Reading Through Imagination at TBM Pustaka Payung Mas 12, Pondok Payung Mas, South Tangerang City. The aim of this activity is to increase interest in reading in the literacy of elementary school level children through a storytelling-based reading literacy approach. The form of activity carried out is that the presenter conveys fable literature entitled “The Cucumber Thief Mouse Deer”, then the children describe the story characters as a form of expression of their understanding and imagination of the story they hear.

This activity was opened by Assami Putri Bayina and Desty Arviani as Master of Ceremony and presenter. Then a speech by Mrs. Sri Agustin as the manager of TBM Pustaka Payung Mas 12, said that collaboration with students is expected to increase children's enthusiasm for literacy activities. 

Chief executive, Putri Dwiyanti, said that this event was held as a form of real contribution from library science students in increasing reading literacy in children and hoped that this event would have a positive impact on children in the TBM environment.

By establishing a reading literacy strategy plan we raise an operational plan, increasing interest in reading. This activity not only presents the story, but also invites children to express themselves by drawing characters in the story, discussing moral values, and taking pre-tests and post-tests of interest in reading.

The activity, which took place on Saturday, June 22 2025, was attended by 20 children, most of whom came from the 1–4 elementary school class. The form of activity chosen is proven to be able to build an atmosphere, because children are enthusiastic about depicting the story characters conveyed by the presenter. After the drawing session was over, the presenters determined 5 prize-winning children, 3 images of the most imaginative story characters and 2 most interactive children from the beginning to the end of the event.

The activity ended with the distribution of snacks, then the provision of souvenirs in the form of certificates, as a form of educational collaboration between UIN Jakarta students and TBM Pustaka Payung Mas 12. Then closed with a group photo session. 
Based on the evaluation results, children's interest in reading increased significantly. As many as 80% of participants stated that they liked the story told, and 72% were interested in reading other stories after the storytelling activity took place. In addition, TBM children prefer to express stories through pictures, so drawing activities are considered very effective as a bridge between visual and verbal literacy.

“Collaboration activities with UIN students are a good synergy. "The hope is that fellow students can share their knowledge with their younger siblings here by regularly visiting TBM, and consistently holding literacy-based educational programs," said Mrs. Sri Agustin as manager of TBM Pustaka Payung Mas 12.

This activity is also clear evidence that library science not only revolves around bookshelves, but also directly touches the public through a fun and impactful educational approach.

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