Students of the Library and Information Science Study Program class of 2022 carry out a practicum of the media and information preservation course at the National Library on Wednesday (10/18/2023). A total of 100 students participated in this activity based on the letter of assignment issued by the Dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran. Departing in the early hours of the morning, students were accompanied by two lecturers of the Library and Information Science Study Program, Samson CMS, S.Sos., M.Si, and Evi Nursanti Rukmana, S.Sos., M.I.Kom. As well as two alumni, Lusi Rommaddyniah Sujana, S.I.Pus., M.I.Kom, and Tita Nursari, S.S.I. Students and companions returned to Jatinangor at night in good condition and not constrained by anything.
During practicum activities, students had the opportunity to visit six preservation laboratories in the National Library Preservation Center. The Student team visits the Conservation, Reprography, Reproduction, Care and Repair of Library Materials, Library Material Binding, Digital Transformation, and Microfilm Laboratories. During the activity, laboratory technicians provide explanations and practice the library material preservation activities to the students. Several students from each group also had the opportunity to try and carry out some preservation activities according to the direction of the Laboratory Technician.
This practicum received a warm welcome from the National Library. Mr. Agus Suyono, S.Sos, Substitute Coordinator of the Library Search, Inventory, and Conservation Substance Group stated that the National Library’s response was very good to the practicum activities carried out. “The National Library responds very well because, in the preservation center or the preservation and conservation section, it really needs younger brothers and sisters who can indeed work in the field of preservation,” he added.
In addition, Mr. Wiratna Tritawirasta, S.Kom. MP., as the Coordinator of the Substance Group for Inventory, Reproduction and Media Transfer, stated that practicum is part of the obligation of the National Library to guide various libraries and prospective librarians, namely students majoring in libraries. Practicum activities as a forum for link and match between the theory and practice of preserving library materials directly. “In universities, generally [students] are only given theories, with practicum at the National Library friends can see the extent of the conditions and process of media transfer at the National Library.”
Mr. Imam Supratna, as the First Expert Librarian, conveyed many things that can be obtained from practicum carried out by students. “First, they get to know the tools used, then they also know what kind of obstacles exist in the workplace. At least they won’t be surprised when they find something they might not find in the college world.” This was also conveyed by the practicum assistant lecturer, Mr. Samson CMS, S.Sos. M.Si, that the preservation of media and information does require practicum activities to show how preservation practices are carried out directly. “For certain courses such as media and information preservation courses, the practicum is needed both internally and externally, because first to see what kind of real activities in the field, then you will get input from the technicians where the students do the practicum.”
Students also feel happy to participate in practicum activities that increase their knowledge and insight related to media and information preservation. Fajrini Widyadhari and Fina Nur Kamila Maharani conveyed their impressions when participating in the practicum activity, “We are very happy because we get new knowledge and knowledge that we can apply in the world of work.” Farini said. “I hope I can love my work more, especially related to preservation and can increase self-awareness to maintain information and documents in our country,” Fina added.
