A Brief History of the Library
The existence of the Library of Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) is inseparable from the history of the UNP’s development. Universitas Negeri Padang begins with the establishment of the Teacher Education College (PTPG) in Batusangkar based on the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture, Prof. M. Yamin, S.H., on October 23, 1954. In the same time, the Library of UNP (PTPG’s Library) also started to be built with very simple conditions on the purpose of completing the requirements of a college. The library was built with limited collections without having Librarian staff or the one who did not have formal education on library.
On its development, the integration of PTPG to Universitas Andalas (UNAND) based on Government Regulation Number 24 in 1956, with the name of the Teaching and Education Faculty (FKIP) was also contributed to the change in the Library of PTPG Batusangkar. On the September 1, 1956 the Library of PTPG changed into the Library of FKIP UNAND which was located at the Pondok (China Town). With the integration of all B1 Programs in West Sumatera province (B1 of English in Bukittinggi, B1 of Science, Commerce, Indonesian Language, and Physical Education in Padang) to FKIP of UNAND in 1961, the Library was also growing. During the period of 1958-1964, the Library of FKIP UNAND was situated in a room measuring 8 x 12 meters. The collection consisted of 2000 copies of books, and there were three librarians working under the guidance of Mr. Ang Le Kwang, who served as the head of the Library. The period of the Library of FKIP UNAND concluded in 1964 due to the change in the status of FKIP UNAND, which became the Jakarta Teachers' and Educational Sciences Institute (IKIP Jakarta) Padang branch.
Based on PTIP's Minister Decree Number 162 in 1965, dated on August 30, 1965, the Padang Branch of IKIP Jakarta changed its status to IKIP Padang which consisted of five faculties. Along with this change, the Library of IKIP Padang also experienced significant development. In the period of 1966 to 1971, the Library occupied a special room with a size of approximately 200 m2, with a collection of around 3000 copies. There were nine librarians headed by Drs. Thamrin Thalaud.
In 1971, the Library of IKIP Padang moved to a 2-storey permanent building located in the Faculty of Social Sciences; this location is around the Computer Center nowadays. With a building area of around 200 m2, the library had a 320 collection with a total of 3,600 copies managed by 16 staff members. Untill 1973, the Library was still headed by Drs. Thamrin Thalaud who was later replaced by Drs. Barhaya Ali (1974-1975) and then continued by Drs. Zainuddin H.R. Lenggang until 1993.
During the leadership of Drs. Zainuddin HRL, precisely in 1980, the Library of IKIP Padang occupied a new 2-storey building with the area of 1,630 m2. The utilization of this building was inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture, Dr. Daoed Yoesoef, on March 19, 1986. The Library then also received an additional building with the size of 600 m2. Both of these buildings are now occupied by the Postgraduate Program and the Master of Management Program.
In this period, the Library experienced a very rapid development both in terms of collections, facilities, and human resources. During the period of 1980-1994, the collection of the Library of IKIP Padang reached 31,380 titles with 159,848 copies. This collection consisted not only of textbooks but also journals, magazines, newspapers, video and audio cassettes, microvis, micro films, and television sets with satellite dishes. Out of 80 library staff, 32 were appointed as librarian functional officials. Meanwhile, the three of them were funded to continue their education at Master's Degree (S2) program at both local and overseas universities, and others attended further education programs, they are undergraduates and diplomas at several universities in Java. In addition, almost all of librarians had the opportunity to take part in librarian training on local, regional, and also national levels.
In August 1994, the Library of IKIP Padang was moved to a five-story building with a size of 5,000 m3 which was occupied until now. The utilization of this building was inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture, Dr. Wardiman Djayonegoro, on June 9, 1995.
At this time, the collection of the Library of IKIP Padang reached 33,320 titles with the number of text books around 161,068 copies, 150 titles of periodicals, 35 titles of newspapers and tabloids, 587 titles of audio cassettes, 55 titles of video cassettes, 3 titles of documentary film, 7 titles of slide, and 8039 of microfis sheets (ERIC-USA). In this period, Library also began to automate the collection of catalog.
In the period of 1993-1997, the Library of IKIP Padang was headed by Drs. Barhaya Ali, MLS, who also led 82 librarians. On this time, the Library of IKIP Padang had 3 librarians with master qualifications for Library and Information Science, 1 scholar for library science, 2 scholars and plus for library science, and 6 diplomas for library science diplomas. There was also significant increase in collections that increased through various project funding sources.
In the period of 1997-1999, the Library of IKIP Padang was headed by Dra. Gusmar Bahar, the first senior librarian who was trusted to lead the Library of IKIP Padang. Various changes, especially internal arrangements continued to carryout, including organizational improvements. In this period, the Library also still sent their librarians to continue their study to diploma (D3), undergraduate (S1), and master (S2) programs. The additions to the collection also continued by using various sources of funds.
Along with the change of IKIP Padang to Universitas Negeri Padang, the Library of IKIP Padang also changed its names to the Library of UNP. During the period of 1999-2002, the Library was headed by Dr. Maizuar, M.Pd. At this time, the Library experienced an increase in the use of information technology, such as an online public access catalog (OPAC) installed using a local network (LAN) with eight terminals that spread from the 1st to 5th floor. During this time, the Library also had begun to use the internet on 12 computer units for the student customers. Another milestone that was achieved by the Library was the increaseof the cooperation with other institutions, such as PDII-LIPI, the Library of Mahaputra Muhammad Yamin, and others.
In the period of 2002-2008, the Library of UNP was headed by Drs. Yunaldi, M.Si, a senior librarian who was also the alumni of Universitas Indonesia. The priority on librarian development is directed to various sectors, such as structuring the library management system, strengthening the basis of information technology, developing human resources, optimizing financial resources and increasing the welfare of librarians in order to enter the era of global information. During this time, the Library began developing Student Service Centers (SSC) which took placed on the ground floor. SSC was expected to be able to serve the various needs of students, lecturers, and employees.
In addition, the collection of Library continued to be improved by using various funding sources such as, DIP and DIKS which are directed to new study programs. For the resource development, the quality and quantity continued to be improved by sending librarians to conduct further education and also by holding recruitment for new librarians whose educational background in library and information science.
In the period of 2008-2013, the Library of UNP was headed by Drs. Sutarman Karim, M.Sc. At this time, the development of the Library was prioritized on the implementation of information technology in all lines ranging from circulation services to the management of KKI. In this period, all collections from the academic community in the form of Final Projects, Thesis, Dissertation, and Research are accepted in soft copy files. The quality of human resources also continued to be improved through the training, internships, further education, and seminars. The period of 2014-2018 was led by Drs. Yunaldi, M.Sc.