Jakarta, November 9, 2022 – The 2020 cohort of students from the Library and Information Science Program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, carried out a practical field visit to the Center for Preservation and Media Transfer at the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas).
The visit aimed to provide students with firsthand experience in library material preservation. Beyond classroom theory, students were able to directly observe the use of tools and machines in document conservation activities, as well as the real challenges faced by conservators in dealing with damaged collections.
The activity began with a formal proposal submission to Perpusnas. Once approved, the visit was conducted at Building E, the dedicated facility for restoration and media transfer. Each floor of the building serves specific functions in the preservation process, covering both physical and digital collections.
Students were divided into groups to conduct direct observations on each floor. Guided by librarians and conservators, they learned about the technical processes of preservation, from physical conservation to digitalization of collections. This gave students valuable insights into procedures, technologies, and real-life challenges in the field.
At the end of the visit, each group was required to prepare a report based on their observations, serving as both an academic reflection and documentation of their practical experience.
This activity supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through experiential learning, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by emphasizing the preservation of documentary heritage as part of the nation’s cultural identity. By engaging in hands-on practice, students are expected to be better prepared to face real challenges in information management and collection preservation in the digital era.
