Indonesian Issues Books For Children

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28802, 24 January 1959, Page 14

Indonesian Issues Books For Children

Youngsters visiting the children’s department of the Canterbury Public Library yesterday were surprised to have their books issued by an unusual assistant. They asked where he came from. “Indonesia,” was the reply. “But that did not mean a thing to those so young,” said Mr Ekok Djaka, a young teacher, who is being trained in New Zealand under the Colombo Plan to be a leader in Indonesia’s big programme for -the development of library services. Mr Djaka will make libraries his career from an unusual approach. Originally he taught in native primary schools, and was then concerned with the education of the deaf. Then he took a bachelor of arts degree in English at Padjadjar University, Bandung, where the faculty of education has separate branches in languages and sciences. Recently he has been teachlhg English in secondary schools, at the same time being on the English staff of his old university (He speaks English very well.) Now he has been nominated by the dean of the faculty of education for training in New Zealand before joining the team of Indonesian specialists, who will start from scratch in building up the country’s State Lpublic) and unfversity libraries. Other Indonesians ' Three years ago one Indonesian had library graining in New Zealand, a ; year later three came, and now Mr Djaka is one of another three. Others have gone to England and the United States. Since he arrived in November Mr Djaka has observed library work in schools, the Public Library. the School Library Service the Education Department library, and the National Library Sf rvice

in Wellington. Now, in five weeks, he is having experience in all sections of the Canterbury Public Library, the Country Library Service, and the Teachers’ College Library in Christchurch before returning to Wellington in February to undertake the diploma course of the Library School, Adequate library services were virtually unknown to Indonesians. “The Dutch did nothing for the native people," Mr Djaka said. Now it- was planned to establish a major public library in each State and also develop those at each university, besides strengthening those in' other educational institutions. Indonesians who have had overseas training will direct this work and train other staff. Decentralisation would be a key to this development because Indonesian communities were so scattered over many islands. “There are now 15 provinces (there were 10), and it is intended to break them down still further,” Mr Djaka said. “But funds for libraries are not unlimited. I have already been very, impressed with the New Zealand inter-loan system by which volume,, not held may -be obtained .from any . other library. This system, coupled with , something in the nature of your Country Library Service, could have valuable application in my country.” Work at Rome When Mr Djaka returns home he will first have responsibility for overhauling the library in the education department of bls university, and then work in the university library proper. Already he has learned at first hand what books mean to outlying communities. He spent the holidays on a farm in Northland, and there saw needs from the customer’s point of view Mr Djaka has no other plans beyond learning as much as he can. But he did confess a wlsn to see some table tennis and soccer. “I play both: but I am not an expert,” he said.