Librarians

Librarians

From Suara Karya

A fundamental change in librarians' mentalities is needed to improve the image of libraries, which are regarded as conservative and rather slow in accepting change. This statement was made by Prabowo Tjitropranoto, head of Central Library of Agriculture and Communication Research of the Agriculture Department, in his oration during his induction as principal librarian in Jakarta on May 17, 1995. Soekarman Kartosedono of the National Library was also installed as principal librarian on the same day.

Prabowo's suggestion should be hailed by all librarians in Indonesia. However, to change a mentality is easier said than done.

The age has changed. A library user is surrounded by libraries. But libraries can no longer claim to be the sole agents of information. With the help of your computer you can have a choice of menu of World Wide Web if you join the Internet system. This will make libraries, sooner or later, obsolete commodities.

Will the profession of librarians be threatened in the future? The training courses of librarians in Indonesia should be market oriented, by teaching creative thinking and entrepreneurship to the students. These qualities will never be obsolete and are adaptable to future changes.

BAMBANG HARYANTO

Jakarta