The Library and Archives of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting academic excellence by welcoming the 2026 cohort of new students from the Graduate Program in Religion and Cross-cultural Studies through a comprehensive library orientation program. Held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Seminar Room of UGM Library and Archives, the program introduced participants to the library’s extensive services, facilities, and academic resources designed to support their studies and research throughout their graduate education.
The orientation was delivered by Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D., Coordinator of Public Relations and International Affairs, UGM Library and Archives, who highlighted the evolving role of academic libraries in higher education. Rather than functioning solely as repositories of books and journals, university libraries today serve as dynamic learning environments that promote independent learning, critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong learning.
“The library is more than just a place to store collections. It is a learning space that provides a wide range of knowledge resources and services to support students throughout their academic journey. We hope that new students will take full advantage of the library from the very beginning of their studies.” said Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D.
During the presentation, participants received detailed information about the library’s physical and digital collections, study facilities, reference and circulation services, electronic resources, and various academic support programs available to members of the UGM academic community. They were also introduced to library regulations, access procedures, and best practices for utilizing scholarly information effectively and responsibly.
One of the most engaging parts of the program was the interactive question-and-answer session, where participants enthusiastically discussed various aspects of library services and academic information access. The discussion reflected the students’ strong interest in maximizing the library’s resources to support their coursework and future research projects.
Participants raised questions on a wide range of topics, including access to international electronic journals and databases, borrowing policies, off-campus access to digital resources, research consultation services, study spaces, and opportunities to participate in information literacy programs organized by the library. The session also provided an opportunity for students to better understand how librarians can serve as academic partners in navigating scholarly information and conducting research.
The interactive atmosphere demonstrated the participants’ enthusiasm for engaging with the library as an integral part of their academic journey. Through open dialogue, students were encouraged not only to utilize the available resources but also to develop the information literacy skills necessary for conducting quality research in an increasingly digital and interconnected academic environment.
Through initiatives such as this, the UGM Library and Archives continues to strengthen its role as a strategic academic partner, fostering a culture of learning, research, collaboration, and information literacy that benefits both the UGM community and the increasingly diverse international academic community it serves. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by promoting collaboration among universities to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable knowledge ecosystem.
Contributor: Diaz Lana Putra