Unlocking Historical Treasure: Optimizing the Utilization of Manuscripts at National Library of Indonesia in the Digital Age

Abstract

Indonesian manuscripts are spread across regions of Indonesia and abroad, with the number of recorded manuscripts totaling 143.259 manuscripts, consisting of 100.770 manuscripts in Indonesia and 42.489 manuscripts abroad. Indonesian Manuscripts reflect intellectual levels, important events in history, local wisdom, and spiritual values. Unfortunately, most of the manuscripts are in vulnerable conditions due to the influence of age, diverse writing media, and tropical climate conditions that can accelerate damage. This paper explores how National Library of Indonesia optimize Indonesian manuscript in the digital era. One of priority program in National Library of Indonesia is mainstreaming Indonesian manuscript. In general there are transforming Indonesian manuscript into engaging modern format, transliteration, translation, and adaptation of Indonesian manuscripts into modern formats such as picture books and serial comics, followed by research studies, providing digital access to Indonesian manuscripts heritage through an integrated platform, and promote the use of Indonesian manuscripts through a read-aloud challenge featuring picture books adapted from Indonesian manuscript, and competition reviewing book based on rewritten stories from Indonesian manuscripts. National Library of Indonesia is committed to mainstreaming Indonesian manuscripts from upstream to downstream — covering drafting grand design, making regulation, preservation, conservation, study, adaptation, and dissemination. Keywords: Indonesian manuscript; digital preservation; engagement program