Collaborative Visit of Two Institutions: Hunting for Collections and Benchmarking for Accreditation Preparation

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the Archives Meeting Room, UGM Library and Archives welcomed a visit from two institutions: the Bung Karno Proclaimer Library of Blitar City and the Medan Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health. The visit aimed to enhance educational access and strengthen partnerships. Arif Surachman, SIP., MBA., Head of UGM Library and Archives, warmly welcomed the guests, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between libraries to support their respective missions and visions.

In his welcome address, Arif Surachman provided a brief overview of the UGM Library and Archives, highlighting its extensive collections and commitment to preserving knowledge. He noted that libraries play a crucial role in promoting education and ensuring that resources are accessible to everyone, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to education. This, of course, needs to be supported by adequate budget availability.

Aji, a staff member of the Bung Karno Proclaimer Library of Blitar City, shared their purpose for the visit, which was to hunt for publications related to Bung Karno, Indonesia's first president. He stressed the importance of building relationships and fostering collaboration between libraries to enhance their collections and services.

Adriana, representing the Medan Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health, explained that their visit aimed to conduct a benchmarking study in preparation for Accreditation in 2027. She emphasized the importance of learning from established institutions like UGM to improve their library management and services.

The discussions during the visit focused on managing the various types of collections held by UGM Library and Archives. Special attention was given to the management of student theses and rare collections, which are crucial for academic research and the preservation of national history. The resource persons for this visit's discussion included Wahyu Supriyanto, S.E., M.Si., Safirotu Khoir, PhD, and Kurniatun, S.IP.

A lively Q&A session followed, where the visiting guests engaged in discussions about collection management and preservation practices within the UGM Library and Archives. This exchange of ideas was essential for promoting collection preservation activities and innovation in library services.

The visit concluded with a group photo, capturing the moment of collaboration and joint commitment to improving educational access. Additionally, a tour of several collection management rooms at UGM Library and Archives was conducted, providing a tangible glimpse into collection management practices. This collaborative visit aligns with the global call for partnerships in education, as outlined in the SDGs. By sharing knowledge and resources, libraries can better serve their visitors and contribute to the shared goal of providing quality education for all.

Contributor: Farah Zayyinah

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