Inter-institutional collaboration is an important step toward expanding access to knowledge and improving the quality of information services. On Monday, October 26, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Library and Archives welcomed a delegation from the South Sulawesi Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Literary Scholars (Himpunan Sarjana Kesusastraan Indonesia, or HISKI) at the Archives Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Building L7. The visit aimed to strengthen institutional ties, exchange experiences in library management, and explore opportunities for closer collaboration.
The visit, attended by 20 representatives of HISKI South Sulawesi, began with Prof. Dr. AB Takko Bandung, M.Hum., outlining the purpose and objectives of the visit. The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to become better acquainted, learn about each other’s library services, and discuss potential areas for future collaboration. Existing initiatives, such as institutional visits and student internships, could serve as a foundation for broader collaborative activities.
In his welcoming remarks, Arif Surachman, S.I.P., MBA, Head of UGM Library and Archives, highlighted the institution’s role as the university’s central library in supporting scholarly publishing. One of its ongoing efforts is to encourage the development of academic journals that meet the accreditation standards of SINTA, Indonesia’s national journal accreditation system. He also discussed the challenges of managing journal database subscription budgets, which amount to billions of rupiah.
To improve efficiency, UGM Library and Archives has adjusted its subscriptions by reducing the number of database subscriptions. This measure is part of a broader effort to optimize resource allocation while continuing to support academic information needs. In this context, inter-institutional collaboration can strengthen institutional capacities and help sustain information services.
Wahyu Supriyanto, S.E., M.Si., Head of the Library Division at UGM Library and Archives, then presented an overview of the library. His presentation offered insights into the institution’s management and its role in supporting academic activities while preserving and sustaining knowledge.
The discussion continued with an exchange of perspectives on library services and opportunities for collaboration. Both parties emphasized the importance of developing a shared understanding of user needs, service management, and potential joint activities that align with their respective capacities and areas of expertise.
The meeting marked an initial step toward expanding UGM Library and Archives’ network of academic communities and scholarly organizations. The relationship established through the visit is expected to extend beyond a formal gathering and lead to joint programs that deliver tangible benefits for literacy development and access to knowledge.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, particularly through efforts to strengthen access to information resources and knowledge. It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development objectives.
Through this meeting, UGM Library and Archives hopes to translate the initial discussions into concrete and sustainable collaborative activities. By building mutually reinforcing partnerships, libraries and scholarly organizations can broaden access to knowledge and extend its benefits to academic communities and the wider public.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh