Strategies and Impacts of The Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program on Community Literacy

: This study aimed to explore the strategies and impacts of the Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program on fostering community literacy and reading habits within the community. Employing a descriptive method, data were collected through observation, study of the documents and interviews with 25 participants to provide comprehensive insights into the program's effectiveness. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and triangulation. The findings reveal that the program's structured and habitual activities, such as the weekly Readhaton sessions and daily reading practices before school lessons, significantly enhance reading engagement among participants. These activities, embedded into the school curriculum and supported by community involvement, have led to a notable increase in reading interest and proficiency. The selection of diverse and age-appropriate reading materials, tailored to the needs and preferences of the community, further supports the program's success. Moreover, the program's impact extends beyond immediate participants, fostering a culture of reading that involves families and public spaces. The study highlights the program's success in increasing the number of books read, the time spent reading, and overall participation in community reading activities. These outcomes demonstrate the program's efficacy in promoting literacy, enhancing creative thinking, and developing sustainable reading habits among community members.


INTRODUCTION
Literacy is a fundamental skill that underpins educational success and lifelong learning.
In today's rapidly evolving information society, literacy extends beyond traditional reading and writing to encompass digital and media literacy (Nurhayati & Musa, 2020).Despite the critical importance of literacy, many communities worldwide, including those in Indonesia, face significant challenges in fostering reading habits and improving literacy rates (Lismayanti et al., 2021;Nurhayati & Anggidesialamia, 2020).Illiteracy is a serious problem in Indonesia, contributing to high poverty rates (Bhawika et al., 2019;Musa & Nurhayati, 2021).Vol 7 Issue 2 Tahun 2024 respondents stated, "The reading movements are promoted at home, in schools, in public spaces, and through media."This multifaceted approach ensures that reading becomes a part of daily life for individuals of all ages and aligns with current literatures emphasizing the importance of creating a reading culture through diverse and consistent engagement (Astuti & Nurhayati, 2022;Milyane et al., 2023;Priasti & Suyatno, 2021).
The planning process for these initiatives involves creating regular, habitual activities.
As the respondent highlighted, "Creating habitual programs carried out daily."This approach includes activities like the Readhaton every Thursday and 15 minutes of reading before lessons begin.Another respondent mentioned, "Implemented with a regular schedule," indicating the structured nature of these programs.Schools are committed to integrating these reading activities into their curriculum, thus fostering a culture of reading among students.As the respondent stated, "Prioritizing reading for knowledge and general awareness."These activities are scheduled within the school timetable, ensuring consistent implementation.Another respondent explained, "Incorporating it into the lesson schedule so that reading priorities can be implemented." The frequency of these initiatives is crucial to their success.Regular activities include reading before bedtime, weekly Readhaton sessions, and daily reading sessions in designated reading corners.One respondent shared, "Reading storybooks before bed, Readhaton every consistently practiced, fostering a culture of reading among students (Majid & Nurhayati, 2020;Robiansyah et al., 2022).These practices are supported by studies showing that consistent reading routines can improve reading proficiency and overall academic performance (Ala & Derequito, 2022).The fixed schedule of these initiatives also ensures predictability and regularity, essential factors in habit formation (Priasti & Suyatno, 2021).
Community participation in these initiatives is extensive, involving entire schools, classrooms, and families.One respondent highlighted, "The entire school community," emphasizing broad involvement.This participation varies depending on the specific initiative and its context.Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program has demonstrated notable success in increasing the frequency of reading among participants.This improvement is substantiated by respondents' observations, such as, "There is an increase in the number of books read and the amount of reading time," and, "There is an increase in reading interest among participants."These statements indicate a significant enhancement in reading habits.Furthermore, the increased number of book collections and library visits serve as tangible indicators of this positive change.
As one respondent noted, "With the addition of book collections, there is an increase in library visitors," confirming the program's efficacy in promoting reading.
The selection of reading materials is another critical aspect of the program.By providing a wide range of materials, including fiction, non-fiction, reference materials, and encyclopedias, the program caters to diverse interests and age groups.This variety is crucial as it ensures that all participants can find materials that are engaging and relevant to their interests and reading levels.The use of surveys and publisher catalogs to select materials ensures that the program remains responsive to the needs and preferences of the community, a strategy supported by literacy research (Nur'aeni et al., 2023;D. Susanti & Santi, 2019).Nurhayati's research has shown that tailoring reading materials to the interests and needs of readers significantly enhances engagement and reading outcomes (Nurhayati et al., 2020;Nurhayati & Anggidesialamia, 2020;Nurhayati & Musa, 2020).
Community Literacy and Reading Skills' Improvement.The program employs a comprehensive approach to assess the reading skills of participants before and after their involvement.Various tools and methods, including questionnaires, surveys, and interviews, are utilized to gather accurate data.One respondent emphasized this approach, stating, "Through research, noting significant improvements in reading interest and literacy skills among participants.The program's impact on creative thinking and reading culture is also significant.
Participants' involvement in producing creative works, such as book reviews, poems, and stories, indicates an enhanced engagement with reading materials and a deeper appreciation for literature.This engagement is critical for developing critical thinking and literacy skills, which are essential for academic and personal success (Gluvsac et al., 2020).Research has highlighted the role of creative activities in enhancing literacy and critical thinking skills, further supporting the effectiveness of the Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program (Khorchani et al., 2019).

CONCLUSION
The Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program has successfully fostered a culture of reading within the community through its multifaceted and structured initiatives.
By promoting reading at home, in schools, public spaces, and through various media channels, the program has integrated reading into daily life for individuals of all ages.Regular activities, such as the weekly Readhaton and daily reading sessions, have significantly enhanced participants' reading habits, fluency, and engagement.The inclusive approach, involving entire schools, families, and community members, has broadened the program's reach and impact.Additionally, the tailored selection of diverse reading materials has catered to different interests and age groups, further promoting sustained reading habits.The program's comprehensive assessment and feedback mechanisms have ensured continuous improvement, contributing to its long-term success.Overall, the Sukabumi Reading Enthusiast Program stands as a model for communitybased literacy enhancement, demonstrating significant improvements in reading skills and fostering a lasting appreciation for literature.
Participation is measured through various methods, including attendance lists, visitor books, and suggestion boxes.One respondent mentioned, "With the availability of attendance lists and visitor books."Additionally, the level of engagement and understanding of the reading materials is used as a measure of success.A wide range of reading materials is provided to cater to different interests and age groups.These include fiction, non-fiction, reference materials, and encyclopedias.One respondent explained, "Fiction, non-fiction, reference materials, encyclopedias."The selection process involves surveys of readers and references from publisher catalogs to ensure the materials meet the needs and interests of the community.Specific criteria are used for selecting reading materials, tailored to the needs and preferences of the readers.As one respondent stated, "Yes, tailored to the needs and survey results of the readers."This ensures that the materials are age-appropriate and aligned with the interests of the community members.This broad engagement is indicative of the program's inclusive approach, which is critical for creating a sustainable reading culture.Participation metrics, such as attendance lists and visitor books, as well as feedback mechanisms, help in assessing the program's reach and effectiveness.This participatory approach is consistent with "Especially in schools, reading books together every Thursday has become a habit."The involvement of families, schools, and public spaces has created a culture of reading within the community, contributing to improved literacy skills and a greater appreciation for reading.The https://jiped.org/index.php/JSP/463 Vol 7 Issue 2 Tahun 2024