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7th CDNLAO Meeting: Indonesia Country Report

Update on the National Library of Indonesia

Hernandono, Director

During the last quarter of a century, 1973-1998, development in the fields of library and librarianship in Indonesia has showed several activities as follows:

  1. Starting in early 1988, the government has officially recognized and approved library works as one of 51 professional occupations. It means among others, that career development in librarianship has emerged and secured. At present, there are some 4,000 accredited professional librarians mostly working at the National Library, university libraries, special libraries, and public libraries.

  2. By the Presidential Decision, starting in 1989, the National Library of Indonesia has been given task and responsibility among others to look after the development of other libraries in the country, in particular to improve the development of people working in the libraries, to encourage and empower the status or organizational structure of each library. To carry out this task and responsibility, the National Library is backed up by its branches located in all provinces.

  3. Formal education for librarians in Indonesia has started in the late 1950s. And at present the number of library school has been growing to 18, mostly attached to state universities and some are private universities. They offer undergraduate and graduate programs in librarianship. These library schools include a far distance program attached to the Open University. An informal education or training program has been carried out by the National Library located in Jakarta (the capital city) and other 9 branches located in capital cities of provinces. This training program which is conducted in 728 hours or 3 months becomes one of the requirements for those working in the library who wish to enter as an accredited professional librarian.

  4. Library profession in Indonesia is also equipped by the existence of a professional organization, namely the Indonesian Library Association, which was established 25 years ago, in 1973. At present this association has some 4,000 members. The Library Association will hold its 8th congress or general assembly in Lembang, Bandung, West Java, in early December 1998. During the meeting, some 800 participants (20%) throughout the country are expected to participate, and among others to select and decide on the new President or Chairman of the association for the period of 1998 - 2002.

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