The team of KITLV-Jakarta visited the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) to discuss ongoing project to digitize hundreds of Pustaha Batak manuscripts. Marrik Bellen, Director of KITLV-Jakarta, with KITLV-Jakarta staff member, and Mery Damanik Ambarita, Batak Pustaha manuscript researcher, visited Perpusnas on Monday, 7 September 2026. The delegates met E. Aminudin Aziz, Head of Perpusnas, Suharyanto, Deputy for Library Materials Development and Information Services, and relevant officials.

The meeting was held to discuss the progress of cooperation in the digitization of manuscripts, specifically the Pustaha Batak manuscripts, located both at Leiden University Libraries and Perpusnas. This collaboration aims to open digital access to Indonesian manuscripts as widely as possible, allowing researchers, the public, and interested parties to access them online without needing to be physically present at the repositories. One of the important points discussed during the meeting was the challenges faced by both parties, particularly regarding technical matters concerning the implementation of IIIF as an access platform.

The Pustaha Batak manuscript collection at Leiden University Libraries holds approximately 320 items, while around 176 manuscripts are housed at Perpusnas.