(26 Oct 2022) The old library paradigm needs to give way to a new paradigm based on the use of information technology and social inclusion, according to Head of the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) Muhammad Syarfi Bando.
He said here on Tuesday that the observation was based on discussions at the General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO).
Under the new library paradigm, libraries are reaching people by developing information technology applications. Currently, people are no longer visiting libraries, instead libraries are “visiting” people.
“This includes Indonesia, which has become one of the pioneers in creating an application named iPusnas,” he informed.
On iPusnas, people can read books from 800 publishers on their smartphones, he added.
The new library paradigm has also involved social inclusion-based library transformation, which has earned appreciation from other countries.
“Now is the time in which we transfer knowledge to the public to reach the marginalized people through libraries,” Bando said.
In addition, the new paradigm has included literacy strengthening in the frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) areas, which has become the main program of President Joko Widodo’s administration to develop Indonesia starting from the marginalized communities.
This is being undertaken through mobile libraries and mini libraries such as digital reading corners.
The 28th CDNLAO is being held from October 24 to October 27, 2022, here. This is the third time that Indonesia is hosting the CDNLAO after 2007 and 2012.
Antara has the full news here.
