The mission of the Library of Congress is to meet the information needs of the U.S. Congress and the American people. Since publications from some areas of the world are difficult to acquire through traditional methods, overseas offices were established in New Delhi, India; Cairo, Egypt; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Jakarta, Indonesia; Nairobi, Kenya; and Islamabad, Pakistan to collect material from these regions. The Jakarta office is responsible for acquiring material from Southeast Asia.

Can I come and check out books?

The Jakarta office functions solely as an acquisitions library. Books and serials are held for just a short period before they are sent to the Library of Congress and institutions in the United States, Asia, and Australia that participate in the Cooperative Acquisitions Program for Southeast Asia (CAP-SEA).

Where are you located?

We are located in the heart of Jakarta at Jalan H.O.S.Cokroaminoto No. 65, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat.

What do you do that takes a staff of forty to accomplish?

The Jakarta office processes an estimated 45,000 books and serials annually. The acquisitions process begins with the research and field trips of the Acquisitions Department. When the material is received, a preliminary bibliographic record is made and the material is forwarded to the Cataloging Department where a full bibliographic entry is prepared. The book is bound, if necessary, and labeled. The Microform Department becomes involved when the quality of paper demands some other form of preservation. Finally, the material is shipped to the Library of Congress and institutions participating in CAP-SEA.

How does the Jakarta office serve the information needs of Americans who cannot visit the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.?

Recognizing that it is much easier for one institution to procure, catalog, and distribute ten books than for ten institutions to each acquire and process the same book, the Library of Congress established cooperative acquisitions programs. Through these programs the overseas offices acquire material for participating institutions based on selection profiles that indicate the interests of each institution. The Jakarta office currently serves more than twenty-five institutions from throughout the world that participate in CAP-SEA.

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