The UPA Perpustakaan Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen) team visited the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Library and Archives with a clear purpose: to learn from UGM’s experience in managing an academic library. The benchmarking visit, held on Tuesday (August 11) at the UGM Library and Archives Meeting Room, evolved into an opportunity to exchange insights on library services, technology, digital content, and ways a library can provide comfortable spaces for its users.
Head of UPA Perpustakaan Universitas Cenderawasih, Dr. Thereseta Evilianingsih, S.IP., M.Si., explained the purpose and objectives of the visit. The benchmarking activity was part of UPA Perpustakaan Uncen’s efforts to strengthen human resource capacity, improve service quality and governance, and foster innovation in library services. Key areas of focus included service management, library automation, collection development, information literacy, institutional repositories, information technology, and library facilities and infrastructure.
Head of the UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, shared UGM’s experience in responding to the changing needs of library users. He explained that strengthening the library involves more than digital services; it also requires attention to users’ experiences within the library space.
“The UGM Library and Archives is undergoing changes. In addition to strengthening our digital content, we are also providing comfortable spaces for our users and extending our service hours,” said Arif.
These two approaches go hand in hand. As information becomes increasingly accessible through digital devices, libraries continue to play an important role as spaces for learning, information seeking, and academic activities. Therefore, the development of digital content goes alongside efforts to provide comfortable spaces for users.
The discussion continued with a presentation by Wahyu Supriyanto, S.E., M.Si., Head of the Library Division at the UGM Library and Archives. He provided an overview of the UGM Library as a starting point for the discussion.
The presentation led to a more detailed discussion of issues closely related to day-to-day library operations. Library services and information technology were among the topics discussed. The conversation also covered institutional repository management and information literacy, including the development of digital content and user training.
The UGM Library and Archives’ information literacy programs were also discussed. Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D., Coordinator of Public Relations and International Affairs at the UGM Library and Archives, explained that information literacy activities are offered in various formats and at different scales, ranging from individual assistance and small-group sessions to larger group activities. These programs include the Information and Assistance Center (IAC), Library Clinic, Miniclass, and other information literacy activities.
The meeting continued with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an Implementation Arrangement (IA) between the UGM Library and Archives and UPA Perpustakaan Universitas Cenderawasih. The signing of these two agreements marked an important step in strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for collaboration between the two libraries, particularly in capacity building, knowledge sharing, and strengthening academic library services.
Following the signing of the MoU and IA, the UPA Perpustakaan Uncen delegation was invited to explore various facilities and services at the UGM Library and Archives firsthand. From the meeting room, the visit continued to several service areas and supporting facilities that form an integral part of the library’s operations.
This is where the meaning of benchmarking came to life. What was discussed in the meeting room could be seen in practice, while the experiences brought by Uncen offered another perspective that enriched the conversation. The visit became part of a culture of mutual learning among institutions, where good practices do not have to remain in one place. They can be shared, studied, and adapted to the needs of each higher education institution.
This spirit aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, through strengthening libraries’ support for learning and access to knowledge resources. The activity also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through knowledge exchange and the strengthening of networks among higher education institutions.
Ultimately, a library’s journey does not always have to begin with something big. Sometimes, a new idea emerges from a simple conversation among librarians—about what has been done, what still needs improvement, and what can be learned from one another. The visit between UGM and Uncen became one such space to begin that conversation.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh