UGM Library and Archives held a sharing session titled Libraries Without Walls: Expanding Services, Spaces, and Partnerships in the U.S. on Wednesday (July 1). The event, attended by 58 participants both in person and online, featured Prof. Mega Subramaniam, Professor of Information Science at the College of Information, University of Maryland, United States, who shared insights into the transformation of library services in the United States.
The sharing session was part of the Let’s Understand Better (LUB) program, a knowledge-sharing forum organized by UGM Library and Archives that brings together academics, practitioners, and international partners. The event was moderated by Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D., Coordinator of Public Relations and International Affairs at UGM Library and Archives, who explained that the LUB program aims to broaden the perspectives of the academic community while strengthening collaborative networks at both the national and international levels.
In her presentation, Prof. Mega emphasized that libraries must continuously adapt to the changing needs of their users. “Libraries are no longer just places to store collections. They are spaces for learning, creativity, and community engagement,” she said. According to her, modern libraries no longer serve merely as repositories of collections but have evolved into spaces that foster learning, creativity, and collaboration.
Participants were introduced to various examples of library development practices in the United States. The use of library applications, electronic collections, and remote reference services enables users to access information anytime and anywhere. At the same time, libraries are creating more adaptive spaces, such as makerspaces, digital creation studios, and collaborative areas that support learning, research, and innovation.
Beyond discussing services and physical spaces, Prof. Mega also highlighted the importance of building partnerships with higher education institutions, government agencies, industry, and communities. She noted that collaboration is one of the key factors enabling libraries to expand their reach while remaining relevant in addressing the evolving needs of society.
Arif Surachman, S.IP., MBA., Head of UGM Library and Archives, stated that the event reflects the institution’s commitment to learning from international best practices while continuously strengthening service innovation within UGM.
The ideas and insights gained from the sharing session are expected to inspire the development of digital services, the creation of more participatory library spaces, and the expansion of international collaboration in the fields of libraries and digital literacy.
The event also supports Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through inclusive and innovative learning opportunities, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the digital transformation of library services, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the development of national and international collaboration.
Contributor:Fadia Iftinan Naifarra