UGM Library and Archives warmly welcomed a visit from the National Library of Indonesia on Monday morning on November 25, 2024. The enthusiastic meeting took place in the Archives Meeting Room, 2nd Floor L7 Building, UGM Library and Archives. The Head of UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, S.IP., MBA, welcomed the visit, accompanied by Erna Widayati, S.E., M.M., Head of the Archives Division; Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D., Coordinator of Public Relations and International Affairs; and Sarwono, SIP., MA., Coordinator of the Academic Resources Center.
The National Library of Indonesia delegation, represented by Vira Farhana, S.S., M.M., with the team Herwin Saswita, S.IP., and Arie Zani Purnomo, S.Pust., conveyed the purpose of their visit to monitor the implementation of the expired Cooperation Agreement in September 2024 and to discuss the plans for drafting a new Cooperation Agreement.
Arif Surachman revealed that the previous collaboration with the National Library of Indonesia had been limited to coordination meetings and data collection. “We hope that the next collaboration can generate more tangible and beneficial impacts, both for UGM Library and Archives and the broader academic community,” he said.
The meeting served as a productive discussion space to evaluate the results of the previous collaboration and formulate strategic steps for the new agreement. Several points discussed included joint training for librarians, research collaboration in the field of library and information science, preservation training and support for preserving physical forms of rare collections, the formulation of librarian standards relevant to UGM's needs, and a book donation program. These program initiatives are part of UGM Library and Archives’ efforts to support the achievement of SDG 4: Quality Education.
The visit concluded with an agreement to immediately begin drafting a more comprehensive new Memorandum of Agreement. Vira Farhana expressed her appreciation for the collaborative spirit proposed by UGM. She explained that the National Library of Indonesia is ready to facilitate the needs of UGM Library and Archives.
This step aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, strengthening the synergy between UGM and National Library of Indonesia as the highest library institution in Indonesia. With the support of the National Library of Indonesia, UGM Library and Archives is optimistic about enhancing its role as an excellent information institution while contributing to the preservation of knowledge and education in Indonesia.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh
