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What Is The Situation In 2008? |
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 During 1998-2000 I conducted some research in order to address issues of inproving the role of technology in language learning in Public Senior High Schools (for MoE Indonesia). I visited hundreds of schools in Java, Bali, and Lombok. One of the issues that is very important for developing the use of technology in language learning is the facilities and sources of materials that are available in the school libraries. Does your school library look like the one in the photo?
From the research eight (8) issues emerged that were of significant concern: - Ususlly there are no students in the libraries.
- The libraries are only open during class times (plus about 15 minutes).
- Teachers don't send students to the library during class times to conduct tasks, find information, or find solutions for themselves.
- Clearly, teachers can't ask students to go to the library out of class times because the library is only open for 15 minutes at best.
- Teachers themselves rarely go to the library and don't really know its contents.
- Often the library manager is one of the teachers and they also rarely go to the library .
- In general, the library managers appear not to actively or creatively promote their libraries (or try to achieve increased interest in reading).
- School communities (including the public) are not very active in developing their school libraries (if at all).
In Fact, School Libraries In General Are Nothing More Than "Book Storerooms" !
This situation has not improved in most schools until now (2008).
However, school libraries are supposed to be the "Heart of the Schools".
Many students attempt to learn under difficult circumstances in their homes because their homes are often quite small, there are lots of disturbances from younger siblings, the students often have to study on the dining table during times when it is free, they can't study together with their classmates, etc.
Why don't schools keep their libraries open for one or two hours after school so that students can use them? For instance close at 3.00 or 3.30pm. From my experience recommending this over the past ten years the excuses given are many and varied! For instance the cost of library staff, security staff, transport for the students, etc. However, I have never encountered a legitimate reason for not keeping the libraries open and converting them into useful facilities that would greatly advantage the students!
School libraries also provide an ideal venue for the students to access sources of information from the Internet outside class time because they are supervised (to protect the students from violent and pornographic sites, etc.), and the students also have access to the assistance of the librarian without the need for special staff.
In senior secondary schools the libraries are often run and maintained by general administration staff (Tata Usaha). We only need to find one staff member who is happy to start work 2 hours later and go home 2 hours later, there is no cost involved. If you have dedicated library staff just create a shift system. Often coming in later and going home later is highly appealing to some staff.
From what I have seen in the field, in most schools the security staff already work until late in the afternoon. If they don't, again a shift system can be implemented.
If the problem is transport this is something that can be negotiated by the school staff. Usually the business from schools is very important to the transport companies, minivan drivers, pedicab drivers, or motorcycle taxis, and they should be flexible. It may even be to their advantage by breaking-down the rush hour problems.
I personally believe that it is just easier to come up with an excuse than to actually do something about keeping libraries open.
You will note that I haven't even discussed the issues "numbers and types of books in the collection", which is usually very low with few really valuable books. But as long as the library remains an inaccessable "book storeroom" the number of books, etc, and management or catalogue systems is practically irrelevant..
We must work to resolve the issues highlighted above (points 1-8 section 1 which do not require any funding or budgets) and improve the desire and opportunities to read, and strive to create the habit of reading. If not then the libraries will fail to become the heart of the schools. The reading habit is the key to opening up and developing opportunities for lifelong learning.
"Online or Digital Libraries" are not a realistic option for the majority of students (or the public in general) in Indonesia because they don't have computers or access to the Internet at home. The time available to access the Internet at school is very limited (for those who actually have Internet), and the cost of printing documents or ebooks from the Internet is very expensive compared to borrowing books "for free" from the school libraries.
Real books borrowed from school libraries can be read anytime and anywhere (in pedicabs, in bed, etc.), and school library books can be 'accessed by all students' and are the only equitable way to address the issue for all students. Ok, let's develop our school libraries and improve access for our students.
The Indonesian National Library states that school libraries
have to become "centres for learning and teaching".
( In my report (Bahasa Indonesia) [1999] )
School Library Upgrade - Guidelines
( Report in English [1999] )
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 A few months ago I was reading one of the sample writing questions for one of the major international English langauge testing systems: "Discuss the benefits and weaknesses of your local library". The writers of this test claim that it is not culturally biassed. But when I asked a group of Indonesian students preparing for this English test 'where is your local library' not one of them could answer. These students were all graduates with Bachelor Degrees from a high ranking university in Jakarta. Local or community libraries would appear not to exist, or at least are certainly not well used by their communities if they do exist. I have asked this question with many groups and the answer is always the same - silence.
Then why does this question emerge in an international examination?
Internationally community libraries are facilities that are fairly standard, even in developing countries. If that is the case, why doesn't the public seem to use community libraries in Indonesia? Why aren't community libraries, that are generally centres for community information and the sources for free reading materials for their communities an important issue in Indonesia? Where do people go to access free reading materials, how do they continually improve their knowledge and non-formal education (lifelong learning)?
Like school libraries, and overseas this is generally the case, community libraries also serve as community access points to the Internet where the public can access cheap (or free) Internet facilities and also have the assistance of experts in finding information available, compared to the situation in Internet cafe's where the staff usually aren't trained in searching or researching, only in maintaining the facilities.
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 As I mentioned above "Online or Digital Libraries are not a realistic option for the majority of students (or the public in general) in Indonesia because they don't have computers or access to the Internet at home. The time available to access the Internet at school is very limited (for those who actually have Internet), and the cost of printing documents or ebooks from the Internet is very expensive compared to borrowing books "for free" from the school libraries. Ref: Electronic School Books (BSE).
Ref: "The policy of producing electronic books (e-books) is rated as not effective" (Indonesian Teachers Forum)
Online libraries are more suited to use by university students where they can search for and order books from their own campus (which generally have reasonably sized collections). Online libraries are also excellent for university students who are conducting research and are looking for sources and references at other campuses, national libraries, or overseas.
You can access and view a number of online libraries at: di:
Senayan Open Source Library Management System
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(Education Network) |
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If we look at the school library issues (top of the page 1-8) we have to ask: Is the "Senayan Library Management System" (a computer program), really going to resolve the main library issues in schools? Will it even be useful? We still haven't discussed a number of issues like numbers and types of books, book management systems (like Senayan), and the fact that "7.000 Schools Need Librarians" because the main issues with school libraries that need to be addressed first are; Student Acccess to Libraries, Quality of Human Resources, and Staff Attitudes to School Libraries.
Without addressing these issues first, the best library mangement systems in the world aren't really going to help students or schools, are they?. Especially in those schools that have very small book collections (most of the schools). Library Managers must Play an Active Role in promoting books to the teachers and students. For instance, make a "Library Information Noticeboard" near the main entry point to the schools where all staff and students will see it every morning when they come to school. The information must be regularly updated. This is easy to do just by featuring different books each day (a few photocopies). We made our noticeboard from second-hand materials and it only cost Rp.60.000 (US$7.50) and it was made by the school administration staff so there were no labor costs.
Create Library Displays In The Library that are regularly changed. For instance the products of student work can be displayed in the library (at no cost). If your teachers are using "Themes" in their teaching methodology, find and display materials and books that are relevant. Take an active role in finding used books, magazines and newspapers from your community and local industry. For instance if there is a local hotel that is close to the school they usually change their newspapers every day, and rather than throwing them away they can become excellent information and materials sources for both students and teachers (again at no cost).
Ref (Primary & Junior Secondary School): Clearly, it is very important that all community sectors (including industry) need to work together to develop their school libraries and try to change the attitudes to libraries in general. Why industry? Because the students of today will become the employees of tomorrow and the knowledge and skills of your employees can greatly influence the development of your business or industry, and ultimately the future of Indonesia itself. [Personal Note]
For Parents: I am often asked; "How can I raise my child's interest in reading?" In general, children learn from what we exemplify (show them as an example), not from what we say or try to teach them. In my opinion the best way is to regularly read books yourself in view of your children, and frequently relate your comments about information or aspects of the book that are interesting. From this small beginning we can sow the seeds that will hopefully develop their interest in books and reading. Rather than buying them toys or clothing for their birthday try buying them a book. If your child is still very small, read suitable stories from childrens books to them. If the stories interest them hopefully when they are older they will already have a strong interest in books and reading.
For Teachers: One strategy to interest your students in reading is frequently relate interesting items or issues that you personally read in the school's library books. What's that, you haven't read any books from your school library? Well, it's best that you start now! By deploying this strategy hopefully we can increase the student interest in reading the books in your school library. Another strategy is to give them an assignment (HW) where they have to read and evaluate one of the books in the library. Their evaluations can be put on display in the library, and the good ones can also be recorded in the library catalog as helpful information for other students. It is our responsibility to be creative in the ways that we try to motivate a high level of interest in reading amongst our students.
Send your strategy! (don't forget your name and the name of your school).
I wish you success! Formal Education is only the beginning of the road to an educated society. To develop a smart society it is most important that our citizens can access information throughout their whole life so that "lifelong learning" can become a reality. We really need to develop effective local community library facilities and actively promote the advantages and benefits of reading to the general community. We don't need to wait for funding. We can start with one room at somebody's house, or at somebody's office (this could benefit their business as well) or a room at one of the local government offices, etc. We can commence with used books, magazines, newspapers, comics, etc. donated from our local community. There is no publication that is not useful to someone in some way. The main thing is that we start!
I love reading! | If we provide coffee, tea and snacks (from donations), our community library can become an informal recreation and sharing centre for community information and news. In many countries facilities like this are called "Drop-In Centres" and they are usually open till evening and are very useful facilities for their communities. |
Advance Libraries Around The World!
Phillip Rekdale
Draft: 29-12-2007 |
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