Books are everywhere, teenagers are starting to love reading. One of the libraries that has received attention from many visitors after the pandemic is the Goethe Library.
A library where most of the books are in German and a few are in English, this library is located in the Jakarta branch of the Goethe Institute. Located on Dr. GSSJ Ratulangi street number 9, Gondangdia, Menteng, Central Jakarta.
MENTENG THE CENTER OF ANTIQUE BUILDINGS IN JAKARTA
Talking about Menteng, Jakarta people will definitely recognize it as an elite area. There are still many Dutch antique buildings that have been converted or have changed owners.
Goethe Library is also a colonial antique building. It can be seen from the outer side which has a typical all-white, very wide terrace section, the hallway between building 1 and others.
Another characteristic, many sides of the building use windows, flat roofs made with concrete, this style, generally has a building age that is not young.
ALLEY IN THE CENTER OF THE BUILDING
The alley provided in the middle of the building contains chairs with a circle table and is equipped with umbrellas to ward off heat or rain. While the floor is fully covered with two different colors of bricks: red bricks on the inside, and dark bricks on the outside. There is a gutter that is neatly covered with an iron trellis.
The library is located at the back of the building, and it takes two hallways to reach the Goethe Library.
THE GOETHE LIBRARY'S COLOR CONTRASTS WITH THE REST OF THE BUILDING.
While the rest of the building is dominated by white, the library has a contrasting color; fresh green and orange.
At first glance, we might conclude that the whole room is orange, but no, there are fresh green accents that are very balanced and match with this dominant orange color. Take the door for example. The door leaf is orange, and the ornament on the side is green. So it looks fresh, doesn't it?
On this front, the opening schedule is also displayed in bilingual format; German and Indonesian.
Monday-Friday 11am-09pm
Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 11am-3pm
On Fridays, visitors are even allowed to play board games provided in the library.
BOOK ROOM.
Like any other library, once you walk through the entrance, it's all books. There is a registration desk that we passed, according to the librarian, to enter this library is free of charge a.k.a free. In fact, unlike other libraries where you have to fill in an attendance list, the Goethe does not. The bookshelves are neatly organized, and the air conditioning in this room is very comfortable.
There is also a glass box for playing soundproof board games. The long table is paired with a very comfortable orange backed chair. All parts of the first floor are limited to bookshelves. When I visited, only a handful of people were inside. The library is usually busy on weekends.
STUDY ROOM
Still on the same floor, the study room is located at the end. There are seats equipped with reading lamps. Some visitors are busy with their laptops, while others are using the audio facilities provided. There are also ipad facilities that have been formatted in German. So, this is really a great place for people who want to learn German. At certain times, the Goethe library also organizes workshops that visitors can join by registering. And many events are organized for free.
2ND FLOOR: AUDIO ROOM
The second floor, which is not too big, is used for studying or enjoying the audio facilities.
There is an LCD set up for visitors to watch movies in German. On either side of this section, there are shelves filled with a collection of German movies.
In addition, there are two pairs of headsets, as well as bean bags for visitors to relax comfortably while enjoying the movie.
In another section, there is a pair of chairs and a table in the center. Between the green chairs, there is a disk player and a headset. So, this section is set up for visitors who want to enjoy a variety of German music or German music groups. Just to the side of the chairs, there is a disk rack full of the library's collection. Visitors can choose any song they want.
In this audio room, visitors are not allowed to bring books or read here. Reading must be done in the space provided.
See the floor on the second floor? Yaps... using cozy wood-patterned parquet. Everything is neatly organized and very well maintained and clean.
A STAIRCASE THAT CATCHES THE EYE
Yups... I missed another unique thing. The stairs to the second floor are designed to look like piano keys, black and white! See how exciting the stairs are. So, when climbing the stairs, it's suddenly like hearing a piano tinkling in your head. LOL. As for the handrail, it's orange like the rest of the domination.
FOUND SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME EXCITED!
Sorry this is just an addendum, but can I show you my discovery in this library?
Here it is...! Three books by three of my favorite authors are lined up neatly: Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Laila S. Chudori, and Ayu Utami. The books are in English and German versions. So pretty and adorable.
Ok, design and architects lovers...that's enough about my enthusiasm for the Goethe Library's beautiful and serene interior design. Please support my writing. Thank you for your attention.
Hi, I am the child of the universe, I like to read books with various genres. I was born in the city of batik but can't draw batik yet. I want to be a novelist, but my works are only short poems that are included in anthology books.
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