To keep libraries "standing firm" in the digital age

The keyword industrial revolution 4.0 has become very popular and has a profound impact on all areas of social life. In addition to the traditional library system, thanks to digital transformation, libraries have brought a lot of information and open knowledge to readers. However, the industrial revolution 4.0 also poses new challenges for public libraries, not only in Tien Giang province.

THE LIBRARY IS NOT DESOLATE

Tien Giang province has 39 libraries and 97 communal reading rooms. In recent times, with the attention of all levels and sectors, the activities of libraries in Tien Giang province have improved, meeting the information needs of the people.

We arrived at the reading room of Tien Giang Provincial Library in the early afternoon of mid-August and saw many readers, each in a corner, mostly students, occasionally some older people. The reading room of the Provincial Library is quite spacious and airy.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, residing in Ward 1, My Tho City, a retired cadre shared: “Every week, if I am not busy with work, I go to the library almost every day to read books and newspapers. This has been my habit for many years. At home, I also have a separate bookshelf. I like to learn about literature, especially modern Vietnamese literature. I also have the habit of writing down what I read in a notebook for reference.”

The program "Summer reading fun to develop skills" organized by Tien Giang Provincial Library serves students and children during the summer. Photo: HL

As for Tran My Duyen, a student at Nguyen Dinh Chieu High School, My Tho City, she said: “Unlike many rumors that the library is deserted, I see many friends coming here to read books. During summer vacations like now, my group of friends and I often come here to look for new books to read for ourselves for 1 to 2 hours every day. On school days, we also often come here to borrow books to study. If the library doesn’t have a book, I go to the bookstore to buy it.”

According to statistics, in 2022, the district library system and grassroots reading rooms received over 136,000 readers with over 373,000 books and newspapers in circulation. In the first 6 months of 2023, the local library system received over 133,000 readers with over 284,000 books and newspapers in circulation. The total number of books in the district library is currently over 252,000 copies and 164 types of newspapers and magazines.

TO ATTRACT MORE READERS

In addition to the achieved results, the operation of the public library system in Tien Giang province still has some shortcomings and limitations such as: Many district-level libraries have very little document capital, unstable budget for purchasing books and newspapers. The form of operation is monotonous and ineffective because it has not attracted readers as well as the proper attention of local authorities. In addition, most of the reading rooms at the grassroots level lack staff or only have part-time staff. Investment in facilities and equipment for the public library system, especially the application of information technology, is still very limited, not meeting the high demand of readers in the current period.

According to Director of Tien Giang Provincial Library Vo Nam Phuoc, in the first 6 months of 2023, the Provincial Library has strived to achieve many set results. Accordingly, the provincial library system has served over 73 thousand readers, an increase of over 66% over the same period, with over 152 thousand books and newspapers in circulation. The Provincial Library has also organized many activities such as: Spring Newspaper Festival of the Year of the Cat 2023, organizing book exhibitions and introductions at units according to each topic; coordinating the organization of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2023. In addition, in the first 6 months of the year, the Provincial Library has also supported the circulation and display of over 10 thousand copies of books to grassroots reading rooms, communal libraries and other units...

In addition, the library system applying information technology in the library has not been approved yet, so the library still has to use old software written by library staff, leading to many limitations in the implementation process. It can be seen that the public library system is facing many difficulties and challenges in the process of operation.

Seeing the urgent requirements above, the Prime Minister has recently approved the "Digital Transformation Program for the Library Sector by 2025, with a vision to 2030". Accordingly, there are many important contents in the project, the goal is that by 2025, 100% of public libraries with important roles will be prioritized for investment by the State, together with the National Library of Vietnam, public libraries of provinces and centrally run cities, to complete and develop digital infrastructure, digital data, deploy interconnection, share resources and library information products according to functions, tasks, and cooperation documents. In addition, according to this project, 100% of librarians will be trained and retrained, updated with knowledge and skills in operating modern libraries. 60% or more of libraries nationwide will be inspected and managed through the information management system of the management agency.

Tien Giang University Library is invested in spacious and modern.

In Tien Giang province, Tien Giang University Library is considered one of the modern libraries, applying digital transformation in the library sector. Accordingly, Tien Giang University Library started construction in early 2018 with an investment of over 58 billion VND. The school library has invested quite well in facilities, upgraded infrastructure, connected to the network system, and equipped with modern machinery and equipment. The digital library has diverse and rich sources of documents and is linked to many digital libraries of universities and colleges across the country; OECD iLibrary database and Science and Technology specialized journal database meet the document needs of teachers and students to read online, serving the purposes of teaching, learning and research.

In the coming time, the activities of public libraries in the province will focus on a number of key tasks as follows: Focus on supplementing document capital, ensuring quality suitable to readers' needs. Expanding service objects in many forms such as: Reading on-site, lending at home, mobile service through bringing books to educational institutions. Continuing to advise on implementing the project according to the Tien Giang Province Digital Government Project for the period 2020 - 2025, with a vision to 2030. Continuing to adjust the established databases, improve business processes, register books, import books. Continuing to increase the circulation of new books to the facilities, implementing supplements and bringing books sponsored by the target program to district libraries when receiving the plan...

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Source: http://baoapbac.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202308/de-thu-vien-dung-vung-truoc-thoi-dai-cong-nghe-so-988008/