A humming melody of lo-fi music beats rather quietly from Colabo Cafe speaker. The sky was growing gray since morning, a breeze brushed the dews atop of Jimbaran Hub’s grasses. Erratic drops of water couldn’t suppress the bustling of the cafe. Calender spelled Thursday, 22nd of May 2025, some people were moving flower pots, tidying up shelfs, and putting down books.
Close to the recently tidied up shelf, a woman was busy with markers, stickers, and a stack of books. Once in awhile, she paused to greet a visitor who dropped in with a handful of books. The stack of books in front of her was getting taller. A drizzle outside turned into a rain.
Her name is Bettina Kleining. Bett is one of the founders and librarians of Bookit Book Club & Library. With Ankita Mahabir, she found the community-based and led library and book club in Jimbaran. This community is supported by Colabo Cafe and Jimbaran Hub as the activity center for communities atop of Jimbaran hill.
Bookit Book Club & Library was born from Bett and Ankita’s concern regarding the condition and availability of public library in Bali. They reminisce how library used to be the center of gathering and community, a ‘third space’ for people as a free alternative for entertainment and education. As Jimbaran hill residents, the location of the nearest public library belongs to a university. The information regarding that campus university is rarely accessible for public. According to Bett, another limitation that the campus library has is that it only has a few kind of specific literature that tends to accommodate academic purposes.
From a conversation, Bett and Ankita made an effort to realize and establish Bookit Book Club & Library. The name bookit is a bilingual pun that combines bukit and book, which has similar phonetic feature in its first syllable. Adopting community-led library concept, Bookit Book Club & Library implements member system as commonly known in public library. With support from Colabo Cafe and Jimbaran Hub, Bookit Book Club & Library is now available to visit since 22nd May 2025.
Dona Kusuma, the Business Manager for Jimbaran Hub expressed, “We are ecstatic when we were asked to help build Bookit Book Club & Library. We fully support Bett and Ankita’s effort to gather literary community in Bali, especially in Southern Kuta.” Dona adds, “We see that this community-led initiative will open up more opportunities for communities to create and connect at Jimbaran Hub.”
Laksmi Mutiara, one of the visitor and member of Bookit Book Club & Library applauded this community-led literary initiative. “A lot of people responded when I post a story on Instagram, they seem enthusiastic because there aren’t a lot of literary agendas at Jimbaran hill,” said the founder of Toko Rabu and bookstagrammer with Instagram handle Rasi Buku.
The enthusiasm was apparent from the amount of books donated for Bookit Book Club & Library collection. It was recorded that more than 350 titles are collected since the open donation announced three weeks ago. More so, on 22nd May 2025 when the soft launch happened, the library has collected more than 30 titles in a single night.
Bookit Book Club & Library is currently developing monthly activity like book club, book discussion, and silent book reading session. The information regarding the activities will be announced at The Bukit Book Club, Colabo Cafe, and Jimbaran Hub Instagram account. This community opens member registration in perpetuity, with the only term to donate two books targeted at young adult to adult. Moreover, members will be able to borrow and check out books like how it has been for public library. With no cost, whatsoever.
Bookit Book Club & Library is only getting started to enliven the literary scene in southside of Bali. With the library and the book club initiated by this community, they also contribute to literary movement and alternative space for Bali residents to be entertained and connected through the mutual love for books.
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