Promoting Literacy in the Faculty Reading Room: ITS Library Highlights the Role of Librarians as Information Navigators

Surabaya – The Library of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) has once again released a podcast on the theme “Literacy in Faculty Reading Rooms.” The episode, which aired on the ITS Library’s YouTube channel on Thursday (September 24), featured Yeni Anita Gonti, S.Sos., an ITS librarian assigned to the Faculty of Marine Engineering (FTK) Reading Room, with Maulidina Tri Andini, S.IP., serving as the host.

During the discussion, Yeni explained that the faculty reading room was established to bring more specialized information sources closer to students in accordance with their respective fields of study. The FTK Reading Room offers a diverse collection, ranging from general materials, final projects, and dissertations to textbooks related to naval architecture, marine engineering, maritime transportation, and offshore engineering. In addition to providing this collection, the reading room also serves as a space for students to study independently, work on their final projects, and engage in discussions.

One of the podcast’s main topics is the role of librarians in helping students find relevant, high-quality information. Amid the ease of accessing information through the internet and AI, librarians serve as navigators who help students identify keywords, trace original sources, evaluate information, and direct them to journals and e-books that meet their academic needs.

According to Yeni, literacy is not only about reading but also the ability to understand, evaluate, and select reliable information. Therefore, reading rooms and librarians serve as a bridge for students in finding relevant information that supports the development of ideas in academic writing. This role remains important even as access to information becomes increasingly easy through technology.

To wrap up the podcast, Yeni encouraged students—especially those in the Faculty of Marine Technology—to use the reading room regularly, not just when they have assignments. She urged students to develop a reading habit by setting aside about 10–15 minutes each day. Through the use of the reading room and guidance from librarians, literacy activities are expected to become part of students’ daily lives while also supporting their academic progress.