Innovation, digital transformation, and the spread of reading culture.

VHO - On the morning of November 14th, in Dong Hoi ward, Quang Tri province, the Union of Libraries of the North Central provinces organized a conference to summarize the year 2025 and a thematic discussion on "Innovating library activities in the current period - Solutions for implementation".

Overview of the 2025 Conference summarizing the activities of the Union of Libraries of the North Central provinces.

2025 is a pivotal year in achieving the socio-cultural development goals for the 2021-2025 period. Library activities in the six provinces of North Central Vietnam have seen many positive changes, despite facing challenges related to IT infrastructure, the two-tiered government model, and the increasing demands for digital transformation. The entire Union organized 53 book and document exhibitions commemorating major national events; added over 37,500 books and 452 newspapers and magazines; newly entered over 17,000 data records; and received many valuable documents and local history materials.

Overall, reader services achieved outstanding results with over 19,500 new and renewed library cards, over 1.2 million reader visits, and more than 2.5 million books and periodicals circulated. Book experience models and reading skills training programs were widely implemented, with many mobile service programs in remote areas attracting a large number of students and residents. Quang Tri, Nghe An, Ha Tinh , and Hue were among the provinces with large-scale book circulation and reading experience activities.

The North Central Vietnam Library Association unanimously agreed to hand over the chairmanship and the hosting rights for the 2026 activities to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Library.

The most important point is the implementation of digital transformation. Libraries have upgraded their IT infrastructure, promoted electronic cataloging, digitized local history documents and rare materials, implemented the use of digital signatures and library management software, and enhanced book promotion on social media platforms. Some localities have digitized hundreds of thousands of pages of documents, creating a foundation for the development of digital and smart libraries in the coming years.

At the seminar, delegates focused on exchanging experiences on the application of technology in preserving and promoting the value of Han-Nom heritage; innovative reader service models; building reading habits for the younger generation through cooperation between libraries and schools; as well as identifying challenges when undergoing digital transformation in the context of local governments operating under a two-tiered model.

Members of the delegations attending the conference pose for a commemorative photo.

Representatives from the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Libraries highly appreciated the efforts of the North Central Vietnam Library Association and suggested that the units continue to innovate communication, build library brands associated with local heritage, and expand new reading models suitable to the conditions of each province.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/doi-moi-chuyen-doi-so-va-lan-toa-van-hoa-doc-181443.html