In recent years, thanks to the digital transformation program of the library industry, tens of thousands of people in mountainous, border and island areas have been able to access e-books, learning materials, agricultural , tourism and medical information... right on their phones or tablets. Digital transformation is not only a step forward in technology, but also a step forward in social equity in access to knowledge - a profound humanistic value that the library industry is persistently pursuing.
Bridging the knowledge gap with technology
Implementing the Digital Transformation Program for the library sector by 2025, with a vision to 2030, public libraries in disadvantaged areas have begun to “go online” and connect with the national library system. Many mountainous provinces have been supported with equipment, transmission lines and data management software, allowing people in remote areas to access e-book stores via the Internet or public reading points.
Many mountainous provinces focus on building libraries (Photo: bvhttdl.gov.vn)
At Son La Provincial Library, the "Community Digital Reading Point" model, implemented since 2024, has brought about practical results. Library staff installed mini electronic bookcases at commune centers and schools in mountainous areas; and at the same time, instructed people on how to access documents on tablets. Each reading point can store thousands of electronic books on farming techniques, health, education , and law, in both Vietnamese and Thai ethnic languages. Thanks to that, people can learn how to apply science and technology to production, improving their lives without having to travel far.
Not only stopping at the provincial level, the digital library transformation model has also spread to mountainous districts. Moc Chau District Library (Son La) and Dak Ha ( Kon Tum ) have coordinated with schools to organize many reading programs, where students can access learning materials, participate in interactive games about books, contributing to the formation of a reading culture right in the digital environment. The digitization of local document repositories is also being implemented step by step, helping to preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.
One of the bright spots is that Quang Ngai Provincial Library has invested in integrated electronic library management software since 2023. The library has built a specialized electronic data warehouse introducing many documents, images, and videos about the culture of the Ba Na, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng ethnic groups... In addition, the library coordinates with the Provincial Cultural Center to organize sessions to guide the use of digital libraries for ethnic minority youth, helping them get acquainted with looking up study materials, reading books online, and learning Vietnamese.
In the Southern Delta, Ca Mau Provincial Library has deployed an electronic library system combined with the "Community Digital Bookcase" model to help people and students access electronic documents on marine environmental protection, aquaculture techniques, as well as life skills books. Digital reading points located at communal cultural houses or schools are not only places for learning, but also become community living spaces where people meet, share experiences and spread the spirit of lifelong learning.
Information equality – the foundation of a learning society
Digital transformation of libraries in disadvantaged areas not only helps people access knowledge, but also creates equality in development opportunities. For students in mountainous areas, being able to read e-books and watch online learning videos has opened up new horizons. For farmers, information on techniques, plant varieties, and livestock is quickly updated to help them improve labor productivity. For ethnic minority women, electronic topics on health care and child rearing help them gain more knowledge and confidence to integrate into society.
The Department of Libraries (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) will continue to focus on supporting mountainous provinces, islands and disadvantaged areas (Photo: bvhttdl.gov.vn)
As planned, in 2025, the Department of Libraries (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) will continue to focus on supporting mountainous provinces, islands and disadvantaged areas to build a basic electronic library platform, ensuring that people anywhere can access information, study and improve their knowledge. This is one of the key goals of the digital transformation program - to "leave no one behind" in the journey of national knowledge development.
E-bookcases in the middle of villages, digital reading points in the middle of rivers or on remote islands – these are not only the results of technology, but also symbols of caring, sharing and equality in accessing knowledge. When every citizen, even in the most difficult areas, can still read, learn and explore the world with a few touches, then digital library transformation is not just an administrative task, but has become a humane journey.
Those silent steps are contributing to affirm that: anywhere in Vietnam, knowledge always shines – equal, persistent and inspiring.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/binh-dang-trong-tiep-can-tri-thuc-chuyen-doi-so-thu-vien-vung-kho-khan-20251018173542447.htm
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