The Big Why
The book fair is an opportunity to contribute to the local economy by supporting various communities involved in the book ecosystem. It creates avenues for income generation, not just for book sellers, but also for food vendors, accessory makers, and related agencies, fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment.
Additionally, it inspires entrepreneurial ventures, such as creating book-themed products or services, and generates temporary job opportunities for event staff, logistics providers, and marketing professionals. By drawing visitors, the fair also supports local tourism, benefiting nearby hotels, cafes, and transport services, creating a ripple effect that boosts multiple sectors of the economy.
At the same time, the fair brings together authors, publishers, and book sellers, providing them with a shared space to connect and collaborate. By encouraging these interactions, we hope to support the creation of meaningful, high-quality content that can benefit and educate society.
As a library, we see ourselves as facilitators, working alongside many others to create a space where knowledge, creativity, and economic growth can thrive together.
Who Are We?
The Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF) is organized by the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS),
an organization committed to fostering a reading culture and empowering knowledge within the community.
PPAS strives to play a meaningful role in literacy development through various innovative and inclusive initiatives.
The Journey of SIBF From SBF
Before the inaugural Selangor International Book Fair 2022, the book fair was held as the state-level event known as the Selangor Book Fair, or “Pesta Buku Selangor” in Malay language.
The Selangor Book Fair has been organized for 16 years since 2006, including during the two-year pandemic. Last year, the book fair was successfully executed as a hybrid event for the first time to accommodate the customers who could not make it in person.
The hybrid book fair had even managed to invite six National Laureates and five renowned local authors to its inaugural segment “Hati & Minda Sasterawan” (Heart & Mind of the Laureates).
The state book fair had its modest beginnings at Kompleks PKNS Shah Alam in 2006 and continued to be held there annually up to 2010. The book fair then shifted its location to Shah Alam Convention Centre in 2011 and had seen its peak reach in 2018 with 515,801 visitors.
