Sumedang, August 23, 2025 – The National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas RI) in collaboration with Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) held a Library Empowerment Strengthening Program for librarians and library managers in Sumedang Regency. The event, which took place on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Bale Rucita, Unpad Rectorate Building, Jatinangor Campus, gathered librarians from various institutions, including school and madrasah libraries, university libraries, village and urban libraries, literacy activists, and community reading centers (Taman Bacaan Masyarakat).
The main objective of this program is to enhance librarians’ capacity in line with the National Library Standards (SNP) and to reinforce cross-sector collaboration in supporting the national literacy movement. Speakers included drg. Erli Sarilita (Director of Non-Degree Education, Unpad), Dr. Rd. Funny M. Elita (Head of Library and Information Science Program, Fikom Unpad), the Head of the Sumedang Library and Archives Office, as well as senior librarians from Perpusnas. Participants were also invited to design collaborative programs that empower libraries through the utilization of collections, literacy programs tailored to community needs, and the improvement of facilities and infrastructure.
According to drg. Erli Sarilita, collaboration between village libraries, schools, madrasahs, and universities is crucial to expanding access to collections and information technology. Dr. Upriyadi from Perpusnas emphasized that library empowerment is mandated by the Library Law (No. 43 of 2007), making it essential to continuously provide guidance to all types of libraries across Indonesia.
This event is part of a series of Library Empowerment Strengthening Programs held in 20 cities and regencies across Indonesia from August to October 2025. With more than 120 participants in Sumedang, the initiative is expected to build a stronger and more sustainable local literacy ecosystem.
The program strongly supports SDG 4 – Quality Education, by equipping librarians with the skills to provide high-quality literacy services and ensuring equal access to knowledge. It also contributes to SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering collaboration among government institutions (Perpusnas), academia (Unpad), local government agencies, and literacy communities to advance the national literacy movement together.
Through interactive sessions, discussions, and group activities, this initiative aims not only to provide training but also to create a long-term momentum for strengthening libraries as centers of learning, literacy culture, and community empowerment throughout Indonesia.
