Rolling out the red carpet for a new library network<\/p>\n
Ignatius Haryanto, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A search for a good public library in Jakarta will be in vain.
\nInstead of cavernous libraries boasting huge collections and
\nhelpful service, we are left to make do with poorly funded, ill-
\nmaintained institutions with a sparse number of dog-eared books
\ngathering dust on their shelves.<\/p>\n
And while the rest of the world switched to computerized
\ncataloging years ago, we still muddle on with a manual system.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, help is at hand. Due to the initiative of several
\nprivate libraries, people now have access to a library network,
\nspanning the collections of the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS), the Freedom Institute, the Aksara
\nFoundation and Utan Kayu Community Libraries.<\/p>\n
Launched in mid-August, the network allows patrons at any of
\nthese libraries to source materials from the affiliated
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
"The network will be running effectively by the end of this
\nyear," said the deputy director of the Freedom Institute, Ahmad
\nSahal.<\/p>\n
The libraries are currently setting up a one-stop method for
\nsearching the more than 38,000 titles in the combined
\ncollections.<\/p>\n
Visitors to all the libraries also can get interlibrary loans,
\nalthough most of the materials cannot be taken out of the
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
The idea for the network came from two Indonesian
\nintellectuals, Goenawan Mohamad and Nono Anwar Makarim. Goenawan,
\nformer chief editor of Tempo weekly, has long wished for a good
\nlibrary system, to which end he joined forces with Nono, who
\nestablished the Aksara Foundation.<\/p>\n
The idea gradually became a reality after they discussed it
\nwith Freedom Institute executives.<\/p>\n
The irony is that this idea to help the public came from the
\nprivate sector, not the government, which often relies on the
\nexcuse of budgetary constraints in explaining the sorry state of
\npublic libraries.<\/p>\n
The National Library on Jl. Salemba in Central Jakarta has
\nbooks, but the collection is poorly maintained and not up-to-
\ndate, commensurate with its tiny government budget allocation.<\/p>\n
Many university students and academics choose instead to
\nsearch for current news clippings, new books and journals at CSIS
\non Jl. Tanah Abang III in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Since the founding of the Freedom Institute in 2001, this
\nsmall organization has been working to build a serious private
\nlibrary, with 7,000 titles already in its collection. Businessman
\nAbu Rizal Bakrie has been one of the biggest supporters of the
\ninstitute, whose collection spans philosophy, political science,
\neconomics and literature. It also subscribes to major journals
\nfrom around the world.<\/p>\n
The Aksara Foundation's diverse collection includes works on
\ncorruption, Islam, the humanities and literature. Since the
\nestablishment of the foundation in 1999, its library has accrued
\nmore than 3,400 titles. The only problem for some is its out of
\nthe way location on Jl. Arco Raya in Cipete, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The Utan Kayu Library is located in the Utan Kayu arts
\ncomplex, which Goenawan built back in 1994 after Tempo magazine
\nwas shut down. But the library itself is quite new, and most of
\nthe collection comes from Goenawan, covering philosophy, cultural
\nmatters and some titles on the media and journalism.<\/p>\n
CSIS' library, the oldest of the participating institutions in
\nthe network, was set up in 1971 as a think tank. Over 30 years,
\nit has collected more than 25,000 titles and subscribes to more
\nthan 130 academic journals, both from local and foreign
\npublishers.<\/p>\n
CSIS is also well known for its excellent news clipping
\nservice.<\/p>\n
Freedom Institute librarian Yanti Susanti said a library
\nnetwork was not new here, but the standard of the facilities on
\noffer by the four institutions was unmatched.<\/p>\n
At the Freedom library on Jl. Irian in Central Jakarta, for
\nexample, there is a reading room for 12 people, free Internet
\naccess on three computers and plans for it to be open from 9 a.m.
\nto 10 p.m. daily.<\/p>\n
Maximizing the functions of the library is part of the
\norganization's plan to establish a nonformal school of social
\nsciences.<\/p>\n
"To have such long discussions, we need many, many books,"
\nSahal explained. For instance, the institute recently hosted a
\ndiscussion on the economist Friedrich Hayek, and next month will
\nhold one on statesman and author Alexis de Tocqueville.<\/p>\n
When the network is up and fully running, it will provide a
\nvaluable source of information for students and institutions, as
\nwell as foreign scholars seeking more information on the country.<\/p>\n
While it is commendable that private groups have stepped in to
\nfill this role, what about the government's role? Perhaps the
\nreal question is whether there is any government willing to deal
\nwith such matters. And that is the real pity.<\/p>",
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