Two lecturers from the Library Science Study Program of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Dr. Labibah Zain, MLIS, and Marwiyah, S.Ag., S.S., M.LIS, have been elected to key positions in the Asian chapter of the Special Library Association (SLA). Through an online voting process involving SLA librarians across Asia, Dr. Labibah was officially elected President, while Marwiyah was elected as Director 2 of the organization.

The drafting of SLA Asia’s new work program is led directly by Dr. Labibah in a meeting held on 4 February 2025. Under her leadership, the new board will focus on organizing competence-development activities for SLA member librarians, particularly through international webinars. These activities will involve library associations from various Asian countries, including the Society Library Professional (India), Pakistan Library Club (Pakistan), the Special Librarians Association of the Philippines, as well as Indonesian associations such as APPTIS, IPI, and APPTNU.

“SLA Asia is different from other global library organizations. The sense of kinship here is very strong,” said Dr. Labibah.

Marwiyah shared a similar sentiment regarding the organization’s atmosphere. Her journey with SLA Asia began when she participated in the 2012 SLA Asia conference. She later served as treasurer of the organizing committee when Indonesia hosted the SLA Asia conference in 2017, an experience that strengthened her determination to remain active in the association. Her continued involvement, including serving as chair of the organizing committee for the 2023 SLA Asia conference, contributed significantly to her election as Director 2.

Marwiyah expressed hope that students from UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s international classes would be encouraged to actively participate in SLA Asia conferences, as she had previously done when she supervised UIN Sunan Kalijaga students presenting at the 2017 SLA Asia conference.

“I believe that the presence of myself and Ms. Marwiyah in this organization can enhance UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s recognition in the eyes of the world,” concluded Dr. Labibah.

With the election of these two lecturers to the SLA Asia executive board, the organization is expected to become a platform for advancing librarianship and its related fields, while at the same time expanding UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s network of cooperation at the global level.

Writers:

Nabilah Izzati Zahirah (niz) & Shafina Choirunnisa (ssa)