Bandung, 2025 – Dafa Aditya Dwi Putra Sumual, a student from the Library and Information Science (PSI) Study Program at Fikom Unpad, has successfully published a scientific article titled “Media Conversion of Rare Collections at the National Museum Library.” The article is the result of in-depth research focused on the preservation of information through the digitization of rare collections, a crucial topic in the modern library world.
In his research, Dafa was supported by competent PSI lecturers, namely Dr. Edwin Rizal and Andri Yanto, M.I.Kom. This collaboration demonstrates Fikom Unpad’s commitment to guiding its students to produce academic work that is not only valuable but also relevant to real-world issues.
The study stems from the urgent need to protect and preserve the information contained within rare collections. The Dutch-language books managed by the National Museum Library, such as Verhandelingen and Tijdschrift, are nearly as old as the Bataviaasch Genootschap itself. This condition requires specific preservation efforts, including media conversion, to ensure their content remains accessible to future generations.
The specific objectives of the research were: (a) to understand the media conversion policies adopted by the National Museum, (b) to comprehend the media conversion process, and (c) to evaluate the utilization of the converted materials. Dafa used a descriptive qualitative method, gathering data through interviews and direct observation to obtain a comprehensive overview.
The research findings indicate that the National Museum carried out media conversion in accordance with the standards set out in the Indonesian National Archives Regulation No. 9 of 2018. However, this process, which involved a third party, faced several obstacles. Some adjustments were necessary, particularly concerning the master file format. Additionally, there was a shortage of personnel for information dissemination and a lack of technical service guidelines for utilizing the converted materials, a problem compounded by the museum’s merger into the Museum and Cultural Heritage (Indonesia Heritage Agency).
The scientific article has been published in the Nautical Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin Indonesia. The contributions of Dafa and the lecturer team not only enrich the body of knowledge but also provide valuable input for the National Museum Library.
This research has a strong correlation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities (through the preservation of cultural heritage) and Goal 4 on quality education (through improved access to information). Thus, this work shows how academic activities can contribute to achieving global goals.
Writer: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, dan Annisa Dwi Fajriyah.
