Verhandelingen and tijdschrift as scientific publications of BGKW in the Dutch East Indies, 1779–1957

Purwanto Putra (Program Studi D3 Perpustakaan, FISIP Universitas Lampung)
Anita Dewi (Information Studies, School of Information and Communication Studies at Charles Sturt University)

Jurnal Berkala Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi
Vol 22 No 2 (2026): December (In Press)

Introduction. This study examines the contributions of two major scholarly publications of the Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (BGKW), Verhandelingen (1779–1950) and Tijdschrift (1853–1957), as well as the roles of librarians, including Bleeker, J.L.A. Brandes, and Van der Chijs, in their publication and in the development of scientific knowledge in the Dutch East Indies. Research Methods. This study employed a qualitative historical approach using archival research. It examined primary and secondary sources, BGKW archives, and Verhandelingen and Tijdschrift from Delpher, Leiden University Libraries' digital collections, and Khastara. Data were collected between August and November 2025. Data Analysis. The data were analyzed through heuristic inquiry, source criticism, source verification, historical interpretation, and historiographical synthesis to explain the historical context of both publications. Results. Verhandelingen and Tijdschrift established scholarly repositories that developed and standardized knowledge about Indonesia. These publications became important epistemic foundations for modern humanities scholarship and continue to serve as essential references for Indonesian studies. Conclusion. Verhandelingen and Tijdschrift functioned as repositories that shaped and standardized scientific knowledge through scholarly documentation, forming an important epistemic foundation for modern humanities research on Indonesia.