Libraries face bleak prospects in regions

Libraries face bleak prospects in regions

Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Librarians expressed concern on Thursday that the
implementation of regional autonomy will hamper the development
of libraries in regions where the local administrations are
feared to pay no attention to their existence.

Supriyanto, secretary general of the National Library
(Perpusnas RI), said that in line with the implementation of
regional autonomy, management of provincial libraries has been
handed over from Perpusnas to the local administrations.

Therefore, the further development of libraries will depend on
the policy of the governors as they are the province leaders,
Supriyanto said.

"If the governors pay a lot of attention to libraries, it will
be no problem. But if they do not, libraries will be neglected,"
Supriyanto told a media conference in connection with the
upcoming working meeting and scientific seminar of the Indonesian
Library Association (IPI).

The working meeting, to be held at Perpusnas RI from Nov. 5 to
Nov. 7, is scheduled to be opened by State Minister of
Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif.

According to Perpusnas RI, there are 25 provincial libraries
located in provincial capitals across the country.

However, Supriyanto said that local administrations tended to
sacrifice resources for libraries for the sake of regional
development.

Under such circumstances, where local administrations were
likely to face limited funds, it would be difficult for libraries
to develop, he said.

"As some regions have cut their operational budget for
libraries, libraries will not be able to carry out their daily
activities, including the purchasing of new books or the
operation of mobile libraries," said Supriyanto, who is also the
chairman of IPI's Jakarta chapter.

He said there were also many local administrations that have
cut or eliminated allowances for librarians. "Librarians will
feel that they are not appreciated, thereby lowering morale in
the profession," Supriyanto said.

"If libraries do not have adequate funds to finance their
daily operations, how can they develop?" Supriyanto asked.