Representative of the Acquisition Southeast Asia Regional Office of the Library of Congress Jakarta, Nuna Kania Dewi, and a number of staff visited the UMSU Press store on the M.Basri campus, Medan, Tuesday (161).
During the visit, Nina also bought several books published by UMSU Press, which were the work of lecturers. She was interested in collecting books published by UMSU Press based on recommendations and information from her colleagues.
He also explained his plan to export several books from UMSU Press abroad on that occasion. This marks an essential step in expanding the reach of Indonesian publishing.
Nina Kania Dewi, from the Library of Congress, American Embassy Jakarta, explained that her office’s primary mission is collecting publications from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. This collection is then sent to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, the Library of Congress is also actively involved in helping procure collections from universities in America and Canada.
“I am happy to be here and honored that UMSU Press is part of our efforts to collect and appreciate quality publications,” Nina said. “These steps are part of our American diplomatic mission in Indonesia since 1964.”
During her visit to North Sumatra, Nina expressed her admiration for UMSU Press, which has many publications. “I was rather surprised to see the variety of publications owned by UMSU Press. This shows an extraordinary contribution to the world of academic publishing in this region,” she added.
Furthermore, Nina explained that the Library of Congress focuses on publications with local elements relevant to the regional context. Although their acquisition process is quite selective, they strive to capture the best representation of each region they visit.
At the end of the interview, Nina expressed her enthusiasm to continue working with publishers in Indonesia. “I hope this cooperation can continue and become mutually beneficial for both parties,” Nina said with a smile.
The Library of Congress American Embassy has purchased 44 different book titles from UMSU Press for 49 copies. Some of the book titles that were also purchased include “Agussani Achieving Achievement by Exemplary” by Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.A.P, “MUHAMMADIYAH: History and Devotion” by Dr. Zailani, Muhammad Khaidir Izwan, Parulian Dongoran, and “Examining the Local Wisdom of North Sumatra Malay Culture” by Dr. Tengku Winona Emelia, Dra. Syamsuyurnita, and Prof. Dr. Khairil Ansari.
The Library of Congress American Embassy’s move to appreciate local publications, such as UMSU Press, is expected to open more opportunities for Indonesian publishers to shine internationally. This achievement reflects UMSU Press’s dedication to bringing Indonesia’s intellectual heritage to the global level, further enriching the image of UMSU as a center of academic excellence that radiates its glorious presence internationally.
