Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia still faces a librarian shortage, according to the National Library (Perpusnas), coinciding with the country's celebration of the 51st National Librarian Day on July 7th.

The country has also faced uneven Internet access across regions.

The number of librarians throughout the country so far is only 3,895 people, according to the Perpusnas' data last year, while the country needs 439,680 librarians distributed to various types of libraries throughout regions.

In addition, as many as 94 libraries have not been officially accredited, along with over 57 million Indonesians that do not have access to the Internet, according to a survey by the Indonesian Internet Service Provider Association (APJI).

APJI said that Maluku and Papua are the regions with the lowest Internet distribution rate, only reaching 3.79 percent until January 2024.

These figures have implications on the Community Literacy Development Index and slowed down the achievements of goals in the 2020-2024 Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

The Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that the Community Literacy Development Index in 2023 only reached 64.48 points or below the government's target of 70 points.

Meanwhile, in efforts to transform libraries so they can provide better and inclusive services to the community, the Perpusnas has implemented the library transformation based on a social inclusion program since 2018.

For example, librarians in the Pabokon Saba Library in the Margamukti Village, Bandung District, West Java, equip local farmers with useful information so that they become literate and independent in handling and managing agricultural problems.

The National Library's social inclusion-based library transformation program has shown promise in improving community well-being. A report from 2020-2021 indicated the program generated benefits exceeding Rp570 billion (US$35 million).


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