Early August 2026 brought KITLV-Jakarta team back to Yogyakarta. Far from a simple stopover, the acquisition trip from 3 to 8 August was packed with exciting agendas. In addition to securing limited edition titles and zines across local independent bookstores, the delegation achieved notable academic recognition at the 17th Indonesia Digital Library Conference (KPDI) through paper and poster presentations.
The main goal was to hunt for new library materials. The team explored local bookstores in Yogyakarta and uncovered hidden gems, from indie publications to local works rarely found in major bookstore chains. Zines were high on the hunt list amid the massive local production. Zines are non-commercial, DIY (do-it-yourself) publications that express personal, artistic, and alternative viewpoints. KITLV-Jakarta team found extraordinarily number of Zines at Buku Akik, an indie bookstore that started as a small boarding room. It has become a must-visit destination in Yogyakarta. It showcased the works by numerous local authors.
KITLV-Jakarta team visited some other local bookstores, such as Ruang Melamun, Kedai Jual Buku Sastra, and Toko Buku Bawabuku. In Ruang Melamun, the visitors can unwind and browse through vintage magazines. Kedai Jual Buku Sastra offers limited-edition titles, while Bawabuku has a wide selection of literature, arts, and gender studies books.
KITLV-Jakarta team attended the 17th Indonesia Digital Library Conference (KPDI 17) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. Risya Iskandar, KITLV-Jakarta Senior Serial Staff, had her poster accepted and displayed at the conference among the other top ten pieces. In addition, Yasmin Anada Putri, intern at KITLV-Jakarta, presented her paper and became the youngest paper presenter this year.
KPDI is Indonesia’s annual scientific forum co-hosted by the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas), the Indonesia Digital Library Forum (FPDI), in collaboration with various universities. Under the theme “Awareness, Behavior, Interaction, and Information Culture in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, this year’s KPDI served as a space to share ideas and explore collective steps in navigating shifts in information culture amidst the rapid rise of AI.
In the period of June to August, KITLV-Jakarta team also concluded other acquisition trips to Palembang South Sumatra, Purwokerto in Central Java, and in and around the Greater Jakarta area. Their exciting journeys can be found here.
