JATINANGOR – Two students from the Library and Information Science (PSI) Study Program at Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Delfin Gusti Wanda and Ariel Mohammad Alief Yusuf, have successfully completed a study on book vandalism in the Faculty of Communication Science (Fikom) Unpad Library. Supervised by lecturer Prijana, M.Si., this research, conducted in 2024, aimed to describe the acts of vandalism occurring on library collections—a serious issue that compromises the library’s optimal functions and services.
The study was prompted by the fact that university libraries, with their high user traffic, are vulnerable to the misuse of their collections. Vandalism is a primary threat, where books are damaged in various ways. Therefore, a thorough investigation was necessary to understand the forms of damage and their impact on library services.
Using a quantitative pre-experimental approach with a One Shot Case Study analysis, the research team collected data through direct observation and documentation. This method allowed them to systematically identify and record every case of vandalism found on the library’s book collection.
From the investigation, it was discovered that 200 books had been vandalized in various ways. The findings highlight common forms of vandalism, such as scribbling, highlighting, drawing, writing in, underlining, and making special marks on the pages. This damage not only diminishes the aesthetic value of the books but also disrupts the flow of information that readers are supposed to receive.
The research concludes that book vandalism in libraries is a serious problem that limits the library’s ability to provide optimal services to its users. Damage to collections directly interferes with the information absorption process, which is vital in an academic environment. Thus, the findings serve as a warning for libraries to be more proactive in protecting their collections.
Conducted in Jatinangor, Sumedang, this research aligns with two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of equal access to information. Vandalism of collections restricts this access and damages learning materials, ultimately disrupting the quality of education. Second, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to provide safe and inclusive public spaces. The library is a key public space on campus, and keeping it safe from vandalism is a step toward ensuring a sustainable and productive learning environment.
The publication can be accessed via the following link: http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250213015227_6908.pdf
Writers: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, and Delfin Gusti Wanda
