The Library and Archives of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to expand its network of strategic collaborations with regional partner institutions. Most recently, this partnership was formalized through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Yogyakarta City Library and Archives Service (DPK), held on Tuesday (July 8) at the 3rd Floor Meeting Room of the Yogyakarta City Library, Jl. Suroto No. 9, Kotabaru.
Both institutions' signing marked a concrete step in their shared commitment to strengthening information services, developing literacy initiatives, and fostering library innovation through collaboration. The event was led by the Head of DPK Yogyakarta and attended by the Head of the Economic and Cooperation Division of the Yogyakarta City Government Secretariat and the Head of UGM Library and Archives. Also present from UGM Library and Archives were the Heads of the Library Division and the Data and Information Systems Division.
As a university that upholds values of public benefit and openness, UGM Library and Archives welcome this partnership as a strategic opportunity, particularly through public literacy activities such as literacy festivals, joint exhibitions and talk shows, knowledge exchange, and potential collaboration in podcast content management that can benefit both students and the wider community.
"We believe libraries cannot work in isolation. Cross-institutional collaboration, especially with public libraries, is crucial in ensuring that literacy and access to information become part of people’s everyday lives," said Arif Surachman, Head of UGM Library and Archives.
This initiative also aligns with UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through strengthening information literacy, providing non-formal education access, and enhancing lifelong learning capacities; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting the preservation of cultural information heritage and developing inclusive community learning spaces; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions and local governments to support open, collaborative, and impact-oriented information systems.
Driven by the spirit of synergy, this partnership is expected to serve as a sustainable model of collaboration between academic and public libraries in fostering a resilient, adaptive, and knowledge-based society.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh
