Boat library of Semporna

The Bajau Laut or Sea Gypsies of Sabah is traditionally a maritime community living in the coastal areas of Sabah for hundreds of years. Due to political insecurity surrounding the Borneo, Mindanao, and Sulawesi areas, they somehow become a “stateless” population, although they have been living in Sabah for a very long period. Along the time, their traditional living in boat houses and dependent over the sea as their source of living has gradually diminished due to conflict and insecurity around the Coral Triangle. Many have settled in stilled villages along the shore of East Borneo although some remains with the boat house. However, their livelihood still strongly tied with the seas. Unfortunately, this community has been marginalized due to poverty and stateless status. They are deprived from education with almost all children do not go to school. In Sabah, they live in the district of Semporna in villages on island of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Among the villages near the sea shores are Perkampungan Air Bangau-Bangau, Pulau Kulaupuan, Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Gusungan, Kampong Halo, and Kampung Pantau-Pantau. The boat library that travels between all these villages on the island provide an opportunity for the Bajau Laut people to access reading materials as well as activities that cultivates learning and reading habits. Librarians from the Semporna Public Library, a branch of the Sabah State Public Library will empower the marginalized people so that they will be able to receive better treatment and facilities that could improves the social conditions. Novelty and uniqueness of this innovation are i) the boat library travel from island to island and visiting boat house of Bajau Laut of Semporna community; ii) the boat library staff will also conduct library activities besides loading the boat with reading materials, and iii) the service is targeted at marginalized and underprivileged Bajau Laut community.