Librarians' role crucial in safeguarding collective memory amid digital surge

The Indonesian Librarians Association (IPI) has stated that the role of librarians is increasingly important in safeguarding the nation’s collective memory, documentary heritage, and knowledge amidst the development of digital technology and the torrent of information.

This was conveyed by IPI Chairman Joko Santoso during a seminar entitled ‘Guardians of Memory: Libraries, Democratic Literacy, and Digital Preservation in the Trans-Pacific Narrative’, held in collaboration with the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) and Fulbright Indonesia.

In an official statement in Jakarta on Friday, Joko said librarians are no longer merely tasked with looking after collections, but also serve as a bridge connecting the public with trusted sources of information, literacy educators, and providers of context for knowledge. ‘The librarian of the future is not a keeper of bookshelves. They are guardians of memory, connectors of knowledge, literacy educators, providers of context and meaning, and partners for society in understanding the world,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Suharyanto, Deputy for the Development of Library Materials and Information Services at Perpusnas, stated that knowledge management faces challenges such as document damage and obsolescence, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and shifting public consumption patterns towards short-form content on social media. He stressed that libraries must therefore be viewed as infrastructure for memory, knowledge, and public trust. Perpusnas currently holds more than 3.6 million titles with approximately 9.9 million copies.

In terms of documentary heritage preservation, Perpusnas noted the 2025 UNESCO Memory of the World recognition for the Syair Hamzah Fansuri and Sanghyang Siksa Kandang Karesian manuscripts, the repatriation of 42 ancient Nusantara manuscripts from New Zealand, and the designation of six new manuscripts as National Collective Memory.

Sandra Hamid, Executive Director of Fulbright Indonesia, emphasised the importance of collaboration in preserving knowledge for future generations, particularly amidst the proliferation of facts, misconceptions, misinformation, and disinformation. Perpusnas librarian Aris Riyadi added that documentary heritage preservation must be carried out through conservation, digitisation, digital preservation, and collaborative research to ensure collections remain accessible to the public.