Libraries now have strategic role in higher learning. So, librarians need to realise their position as one that runs information resources at the university that no longer serves as library collections only but a product of culture that is created with all of its interests.
This was said by lecturer in Library and Information Department of University of Indonesia (UI), Luki Wijayanti, in her Doctoral promotion for Cultural Studies and Media study programme at UGM Graduate School Yogyakarta on Wednesday (28/2). Luki defended her dissertation themed Library as Arena of Contestation of Interests: Case Study of Management of American Corner at Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.
Luki said the librarian’s care as agent that distributes information for the interest of the users had to be shown by their critical stance toward library management. Current library management that is focused on the provision, management and service of informational resources have to be enriched with understanding of socio-political and cultural issues in relations with library management.
The Head of Library of Faculty of Literature of University of Indonesia said managing the library was not only running the library materials and facilities for users, but also managing the users, academic community.
“Librarians need to realise they are the partners of lecturers in developing the academic and personal capacity of the students,” she said. So, librarians need to be critical by studying relevant knowledges
Based on Luki’s observation, American Corner that is run by non-librarians seemed to be more active as they engage students as volunteers so that the routine duties of the librarians were not interrupted.
“For librarians, the routine job has often become their priority so it seems that they lack of creativity,” she said.
Luki admitted many librarians were uninterested in designing non-routine events because they think the routine job as more important.
“Librarians need to be aware that behind those collections and programme, there is a certain mission,” said Luki Wijayanti.