VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Acting (Plt.) Head of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) E. Aminudin Aziz speaking at the 30th General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo : Perpusnas) -  

VOInews, Dubai : Acting (Plt.) Head of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) E. Aminudin Aziz stated that libraries must have new functions that include community empowerment programs.

This was conveyed by Plt. Head of National Library at the 30th General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which took place on 15-17 November 2024.

He added that the Social Inclusion Based Library Transformation (TPBIS) program implemented in Indonesia provides new hope in efforts to realize the function of libraries for community empowerment.

"Government commitment and community participation are key aspects in making this transformation successful," he said when speaking at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Dubai, UAE, on Sunday (17/11/2024).

He understands that this new initiative in library transformation will always face challenges, both support and resistance. "So, remain patient and diligent in implementing it," he explained.

On this occasion, Plt. The Director of the National Library explained that library transformation was based on two things, namely libraries for all to ensure inclusive access to knowledge for all levels of society and libraries as spaces for creativity, namely creating spaces that foster creativity, innovation and collaboration.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday November 20th 2024 in Jakarta, regarding the TPBIS program, it was explained that initially the National Library created an initiative to promote libraries for all and libraries as spaces for creativity with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (through the Global Libraries Initiative) and The Coca-Cola Foundation.

"This activity is known as PerpuSeru and took place from 2011 to 2018. As of November 2018, PerpuSeru has supported 200 village libraries, 50 district libraries and 34 provincial libraries," he explained.

Furthermore, Indonesia, through the National Library, continued this program with the title TPBIS program. "Because this program has a good impact nationally, the government has made it a National Priority and for the first time it is part of the National Priorities," he said.

From 2018 to 2024, the TPBIS program has reached 2,691 public libraries in 38 provinces. One of the good practices of the TPBIS program that has been carried out is in Magelang, Central Java. This program is said to have a good influence on the surrounding community, namely that the library is better known and has the trust of the community, and a shift in perspective on human resource development has placed the function of the library more proportionally.

Regarding international conferences, according to him, this has important meaning as a means of gaining new insights regarding the role of libraries in providing greater benefits to society.

The 30th General CDNLAO 2024 carries the big theme "Libraries and Sustainability" which is attended by representatives from China, Jordan, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Singapore, Kuwait, Vietnam, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates , Qatar and India.

The CDNLAO conference focuses on three main themes, namely the role of libraries in supporting sustainable development goals (SDGs), green libraries and environmental sustainability and educating the public about sustainability through libraries. This conference reflects the cultural and social diversity of the Asia and Oceania region, while encouraging collaboration between libraries to create a more sustainable future for the global community//VOI