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Joint press statement held after the opening ceremony of nowledge Sharing Program on Library Transformation Based on Social Inclusion on Monday 12 August 2024 in Yogyakarta (Photo : NK-VOI)

VOInews, Yogyakarta : Government through the Ministry of State Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs State, and the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) and the Colombo Plan again sharing best practices in strengthening the role of public libraries in social development. 

This collective effort is outlined in an activity entitled the Knowledge Sharing Program regarding Library Transformation Based on Social Inclusion (TPBIS) or Knowledge Sharing Program on Library Transformation Based on Social Inclusion. 

National Library Main Secretary Joko Santoso stated that the TPBIS program was initiated by his party is to increase literacy, creativity, and reduce access poverty information.

This year, there were 19 participants from 11 Asia-Pacific countries together with participants from Indonesia, will learn and share experiences regarding TPBIS.

“I welcome the participants who come from various sources countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia," he said when opening this year's activities carrying the theme "Leveraging the Role of Public Libraries in Strengthening Local
Community: Best Practices” in Yogyakarta on Monday (12/8/2024).

Last year, the Knowledge Sharing Program about TPBIS was first held in Jakarta and opened on November 13 2023. The activity invited 18 participants from six Colombo Plan member countries and Indonesia. Furthermore, he explained, participants would be accommodated in superior TPBIS villages for feel, experience, and learn directly how TPBIS is implemented.

"We hope this approach will provide richer and more memorable insights, as well strengthen participants' understanding of the importance of libraries in transformation social," he added.

He expressed the hope that South-South cooperation countries could learn lessons and the benefits of this activity are to increase the role of libraries in strengthening inclusive community literacy.  In the coming year, this program is expected to continue and be held in different places.

"Considering the success of the program last year and the implementation of this year's program, We propose that next year the program will continue in Bali," he said.

Head of the Foreign Technical Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of State Secretariat Noviyanti explains the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between countries.

"We gather here to exchange ideas, share best practices and network collaboration that will help us unlock the library's full potential," She said. 

For her, the continuation of this activity shows collective dedication to improve quality of life of the community and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030.

"The presence of all of us here, indicates our shared dedication to improve quality of life in society," She added.

Noviyanti said that traditionally, libraries are seen as book warehouses and manuscripts, which are quiet, places for solitude and study. But in a fast world in this time, the role of libraries has undergone a profound transformation. 

“Libraries are no longer just passive spaces for storing knowledge, however become a dynamic community center that fosters learning creativity and social cohesion," She added. 

She called for a commitment to a more inclusive and empowering future for libraries use.

“Let's embrace the spirit of cooperation and collaboration and let's commit to transforming our libraries into dynamic, inclusive and impactful institutions", She stressed//VOI