Date: 26-28 May 2025

Venue: The Johannes Oentoro Library

Description: 

To strengthen the vital role of school libraries in education, the One UPH Library recently held a special training program for Teacher Librarians called the Ezra Training Program. The training brought together passionate educators from various schools who share a common mission—transforming their libraries into thriving centres of knowledge, creativity, and literacy. 

Held on 26-28 May 2025 at The Johannes Oentoro Library, the training provided a space where theory met practice. From early morning sessions to engaging group discussions, the atmosphere was filled with energy and enthusiasm. Participants were eager to learn, connect, and find new ways better to serve their school communities through effective library management. 

Pak Hendra Thamrin said in the opening session that literacy services are still crucial in this A.I. era. "We knew there were a lot of tools to help us with our research, but humans still cannot interchangeable, and in Christianity, we are taught to not only boast of our conduct, but we need to learn more within the bible; as this program called Ezra who called in the Bibles as the priest and scribe of the Law of the God of heaven (Sofer) we as Christian need to deep our literacies skills," Pak Hendra said.  

He also mentions that Pak Dhama and Its teams have contributed significantly to literacy, especially in Indonesia. “In this AI era, teacher librarians are irreplaceable and a good effort to anticipate, to direct, and to give the best literacies services in every library, cause it still relevant to this age", Pak Hendra said. 

The Ezra Training Program focused on several key areas: information literacy, library promotion, cataloguing, circulation systems, and the broader principles of managing a school library. These are not just technical skills but essential tools for turning a quiet room full of books into an active learning hub for students and teachers alike. 

Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated trainers—experts in library science and education—guided the sessions carefully. They didn't just present slides or instructions; they shared experiences, sparked ideas, and created an environment where every question mattered. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, the trainers helped participants grasp the "how" and the "why" of good library practices. 

The heart of the event lay in its purpose: to empower. School libraries are more important than ever in today's fast-changing educational landscape. They are gateways to digital literacy, information skills, and independent thinking. With this training, the organizers hoped to ignite a sense of confidence and inspiration among Teacher Librarians and help them realize that they are not just keepers of books but leaders in learning. 

By the end of the training, participants walked away with more than just new knowledge. They carried fresh ideas, practical tools, and a renewed sense of purpose. Most importantly, they left knowing they were part of a larger story—a community of educators working together to shape the future of school libraries, one book, one student, and one idea at a time.