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