Six students from the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Program (PBSI) at Sanata Dharma University (USD) conducted a collection management observation at the Library and Archives of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Friday, 14 November 2025. The activity was part of the coursework for the Library Management class.
The observation took place in the Library Material Processing Room, Building L7, 3rd Floor. The participants were welcomed by Yulistiarini Kumaraningrum, S.P., M.M., Head of the Data and Information Systems Division, along with Aprilia Mardiastuti, S.IP., MA., Head of Collection Development and the activity supervisor, as well as Roh Wahyu Widayati, S.I.Pust., Library Materials Processing Staff.
Yulistiarini Kumaraningrum greeted the participants and opened the observation session. She expressed her appreciation for the students’ visit and emphasized that activities like this provide meaningful learning opportunities for future educators and librarians.
Aprilia Mardiastuti then explained the workflow of library material processing, starting from the receipt of books, the inventory process, and the preparation of materials before they are made available to users. She also highlighted
the importance of data accuracy and the role of information systems in supporting sustainable collection development. “Every decision related to the collection must be data-driven to meet academic needs and usage patterns,” Aprilia noted.
Through this activity, the students explored book acquisition processes, material processing techniques, and the approaches used by UGM in developing its collection. They gained insight into how collection development decisions are formulated by considering usage data, academic demands, and ongoing research developments within the university. This direct observation helped bridge classroom theories with the professional practices of a large academic library.
Tasya Maranata, one of the participants, shared her positive impression. “We want to understand how a library sets priorities in developing its collection. This experience greatly broadened our perspective,” she said.
The activity supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) through experiential learning, and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between educational institutions and the library.
After the discussion session, the participants were taken on a guided tour to explore the UGM Library and Archives’ collections and facilities. This field experience is expected to strengthen their understanding of library operations and reinforce the strategic role of libraries in ensuring sustained access to information for the community.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh