YOGYAKARTA - Along with the technology development in the field of library, the quality of library services needs to be better. Therefore, the services of librarians are also expected to be increasingly professional through mastering the knowledge of library and information science, in addition to performing the ethics of the profession by joining professional organizations. This is mentioned by librarianship observer, Blasius Sudarsono, in scientific discussions on Indonesian librarianship at the Unit 1 Library recently.
Sudarsono said a librarian in addition to having a professionalism attitude, should have character that is honest, modest, and humble. According to Sudarsono, the virtue of a librarian must consciously, willingly, and cheerfully carry out the service. "The concept of service is to put themselves one level lower than that of who is served, but without losing of dignity," he said.
Moreover, the involvement of librarians in professional organizations is considered very important. The professional organizations enforce ethics codes of librarians. However, up until now the socialization or ethics codes have never been clear, even not all members understand the contents of the code of ethics that they have. "So, the issue of librarians’ ethics code is still unfamiliar to many librarians," he said.
He added that professional organizations of librarians have a responsibility to protect the librarian profession. Thus, this organization can perform its function as the quality assurance of librarian. Meanwhile, the institutes where the librarians work serve the function of librarian quality control. "Quality assurance and quality control should have a line in a broader communication system among librarians’ educational institutions, librarians’ professional organizations and institution where librarians work," he said.