The Reading Community (in Indonesian: Taman Bacaan Masyarakat/TBM) has a role as one of the driving forces in supporting literacy culture in society. The Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation Number 23, 2015 concerns the Cultivation of Character Building and strengthens efforts to establish the culture of literacy. This study took samples of TBM in Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta. Based on data from the Ministry of Education and Culture 2018, there are currently 56 reading communities in the Bantul Regency. This is around 15% of the total TBM in DIY Province. As a form of out-of-school education, TBM also has a role in improving the quality of human resources. This study considers the relationship between the existence of the community and their role in improving the quality of human resources in the society. This study used descriptive qualitative methods. Data collection is done through observations and interviews. Based on the collected data, it was concluded that the presence of TBM managed by members of the local community had a positive influence, especially for children and adolescents. The existence of TBM increases reading interest among children and boosts the number of teenagers who continue their education to a higher level. Thus, the TBM supports one of the national goals, namely improving the quality of human resources through lifelong learning.
Keywords: Reading Community, Human Resources Quality, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta