STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING A CULTURE OF LITERACY AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF STATE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 15 TEGAL

Abstract

State Junior High School 15 Tegal won first place in the 2024 Tegal City School Library Competition through the implementation of integrated literacy strategies in learning activities. This study aims to analyse library strategies in increasing students' interest in reading. The method used is qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research informants include the school principal, two librarians, four literacy ambassadors, and two students. The results of the study revealed six main strategies, namely: (1) increasing the intensity of library visits through mandatory literacy programmes and collaboration with literacy activists, (2) regularly adding to and refreshing the collection, (3) socialising the benefits of reading through MPLS, literacy ambassadors, literacy figures, and social media, (4) providing quizzes, competitions, and awards, (5) improving facilities and infrastructure with digitalisation innovations and comfortable spatial arrangements, and (6) utilising reading corners in each classroom. The impacts of these strategies include increased library visits, growing student literacy awareness, and school achievements at the city level. This study emphasises the importance of innovative and collaborative library management as a driving force for literacy culture in schools. The recommendations of this study are the need to develop special social media accounts for libraries to expand the reach of literacy information, provide lockers or storage racks for students' convenience, and strengthen digital literacy programmes to align with the character of the younger generation who are familiar with technology.