Libraries widely misperceived in Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Libraries are still widely misperceived
\ninstitutions in Indonesia, even among school teachers, a leading
\nlibrarian said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Many people think a library is a costly place, or they are
\nsimply ignorant about the facilities which are available,
\nSoekarman Kartosedono, a chief librarian at the National Library,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
To make matters worse, teachers in primary schools also
\nmisperceive the role of libraries in education, Soekarman said.<\/p>\n
Teachers think libraries are mere collections of literature
\nwhich have nothing to do with education, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Libraries should become integrated aspects of the educational
\nsystem. Their presence in schools should support education,\" he
\nsaid, adding that teachers could give writing assignments that
\nrequire students to use library facilities.<\/p>\n
He said teachers should motivate students to read a lot, and
\naward extra marks for those who do.<\/p>\n
The National Library quietly marked its 17th anniversary on
\nMonday amidst growing concern in society about the poor reading
\nhabits of Indonesians, including school children.<\/p>\n
With a total collection of around 1.2 million books and
\nperiodicals, the book-shaped library building on Jl. Salemba
\nboasts an average 6,200 visitors a month.<\/p>\n
The nondepartmental National Library was founded in 1980 as a
\nresult of a merger between the Library of the National Museum,
\nthe Library of Social and Political History, the Bureau of
\nBibliography and the Library of Jakarta Municipality.<\/p>\n
Soekarman traced the source of Indonesians' poor reading habit
\nto the primary education system, which he said was not conducive
\nto encouraging students to become creative and to think
\nindependently.<\/p>\n
Hernandono, head of the Association of Indonesian Librarians,
\nnoted with concern society's rapid adaptation of the audio-visual
\nmedia, which has come at the expense of reading and writing.<\/p>\n
Indonesian society has been deeply rooted in oral tradition
\nbut it is now making the leap to an audio-visual tradition, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indonesia must not bypass the reading and writing phase
\nbecause this is crucial for the nation's future, Hernandono said.<\/p>\n
\"Reading and writing should be given priority (in education)
\nbecause that is where critical and creative thinking is formed,\"
\nhe said. (11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/libraries-widely-misperceived-in-indonesia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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