Indonesian Began to Information Literacy

UPH (4/2) ? The Johannes Oentoro Library held a seminar called ?Information Literacy (IL) Training for Trainers?, followed by 50 librarians from universities and schools in Tangerang, Jakarta, and some areas in Indonesia such as Bali, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, and Manado. These three-day-seminar presented Diljit Singh from University of Malaya, Lucya Dhamayanti representing Gerakan Pemasyarakatan Minat Baca (Reading Socialization Movement) ? National Library, and some other librarians from various universities, such as Universitas Atmajaya, Universitas Indonesia, UPH, and British International School.

According to Diljit Singh, information literacy is getting more and more important to the society, both in developed and developing country, including Africa. This era of 21st century is where new information appears every day, so that children and adults need information literacy. Even when the facilities are not sophisticated enough, society is still able to benefit from and enjoy information. Diljit Singh thinks that Indonesia starts to have the awareness to new information. ?From what I have learned, I think Indonesia has taken important steps through creating the awareness about information. It is done through institutions like Indonesian National Library, universities such as UPH, even school libraries. The most important thing now is how we teach people about information awareness,? explained Singh.

On the other hand, Lucya Dhamayanti thinks that it is important for teachers as well librarians to develop their information literacy skills. Besides that, facilities such as  books in the library can also encourage society in using and making use of information literacy for themselves or others. The main task for universities with complete library facilities is to teach about information literacy to our society. ?For example UPH, UI, and other good universities, start mentoring those with less facilities; because our government doesn?t have the power to make all be in the same levels,? said Lucya.

The development of information literacy has to be parallel with human resources and facilities. For Indonesian National Library itself, the facilities such as mobile libraries and village libraries, are expected to help the surrounding society. In addition to that, National Library also held similar trainings to village librarians, so that they are able to share their ability to others. Hence, it is expected that more and more people are familiar with information literacy.

The seminar was actually triggered by the abundant information as the effect of globalization, which should be used efficiently and effectively by the society, especially among academicians. Based on this situation, UPH held a seminar that aimed to equip teachers, librarians or trainers with various knowledge and basic skills needed for their roles and tasks on using information. (yun)

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