Dong Thap: Developing modern libraries and spreading a reading culture.

In order to build a modern, user-friendly library system that meets the requirements of digital transformation and promotes a reading culture in the community, the People's Committee of Dong Thap province has just issued...

Bộ Văn hóa, Thể thao và Du lịch•25/05/2026

According to the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, from 2021 to June 30, 2025, the library system in the province will be gradually strengthened and developed with 2 provincial-level libraries, 17 district-level libraries, 56 commune-level libraries, 379 community reading rooms and reading spaces, 351 book collections for educational purposes, 1 commune-level community library, and 12 family book collections. This system has made a significant contribution to creating a learning environment, raising the intellectual level of the people, and promoting the reading movement in the community.

From July 1st, 2025, in accordance with the policy of reorganizing the administrative apparatus, provincial-level libraries will be merged into one unit, while maintaining service at two locations to ensure access for the people; district-level library systems will be transferred to the commune-level public service centers. The network of grassroots libraries will continue to be maintained and gradually improve its effectiveness, progressively meeting the learning, research, and entertainment needs of the people; coordination between sectors and levels in developing reading culture will be strengthened; many community library and grassroots book collection models will be effective, contributing to the spread of reading culture in society.

Strengthen the organization of mobile library activities .

However, despite the demands of digital transformation and integration, the library sector still faces limitations such as: Information technology infrastructure in many libraries, especially at the grassroots level, is not yet synchronized and does not meet the requirements for deploying digital libraries and providing online services; digital information resources are limited in both quantity and quality; document digitization has not been implemented uniformly; library activities in some localities are still traditional, lacking strong innovation in service methods and failing to attract a large number of people, especially young people; the library staff is insufficient and lacks in-depth training in information technology and digital transformation skills; and the socialization and mobilization of non-budgetary resources for library development are still limited.

The reasons stem from the inadequate understanding of some agencies, units, and localities regarding the role of libraries in knowledge development and digital transformation; limited investment resources for libraries, failing to meet the development requirements of the new era; the lack of sufficiently strong mechanisms and policies to promote digital transformation and attract social participation; and the lack of close and synchronized coordination among sectors and levels in some areas.

Therefore, the Plan was issued to concretize the Party and State's policies and orientations on developing reading culture; to raise awareness throughout society about the role of libraries in building a learning society and individuals; to promote digital transformation in the library sector; to build a modern, friendly library system that meets the increasingly high needs of the people ; and to mobilize and encourage organizations and individuals to invest, sponsor, and contribute to the development of the library system and spread reading culture in the community.

At the same time, the goal is to develop the library system in the province in a modern direction, strongly applying digital technology, improving service quality; creating conditions for people to access knowledge conveniently and equally; contributing to building a learning society and improving the quality of human resources.

The People's Committee of Dong Thap province has set the following goals by 2030: 100% of communes and wards will meet library criteria; 100% of library staff will receive training and professional development, with at least 80% receiving training and updating their skills in information technology and digital transformation; striving to achieve a rate of 40-50% of the province's population accessing and using library services, especially digital services; and aiming for the provincial library and 70% of commune-level libraries to have digital data connected and shared with the common data system.

Step-by-step digitization of information resources, striving to digitize over 50% of local history documents and valuable materials at the Provincial Library; building a digital database to serve the people; expanding the provision of free internet access services at libraries, especially in remote, mountainous, and border areas; investing in and developing provincial libraries into modern knowledge centers capable of connecting and sharing information resources; promoting the socialization of library activities.

To achieve the set goals, the Provincial People's Committee has outlined several tasks and solutions for the coming period, such as: Strengthening the dissemination and promotion of the Party and State's policies on developing reading culture and digital transformation in the library sector to raise awareness among all levels, sectors, and society as a whole about the position and role of libraries in knowledge development, human development, and a learning society ; Integrating propaganda through events and activities such as: Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, Lifelong Learning Week, competitions, book fairs, exhibitions, extracurricular activities, etc., to spread the habit of reading in the community, especially among young people ;

Review and propose the development, amendment, and supplementation of mechanisms and policies for the development of the library sector in line with the requirements of digital transformation, with a focus on policies for developing digital information resources, connecting and sharing library data ; Continue to review and streamline the organizational structure of the public library system in the province towards efficiency and effectiveness; ensuring compatibility with the local government model after restructuring.

Develop and implement reading culture development programs and plans tailored to different target groups.

In addition, attention should be paid to and guidance should be given to establishing and developing a system of public libraries at the commune level according to Guidance No. 1984/HD-BVHTTDL of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; maintaining and promoting the effectiveness of community libraries, private libraries, reading rooms at the grassroots level, scholarship book collections, and family book collections; ensuring the operating conditions are in accordance with regulations ; strengthening the organization of mobile library activities and circulating information resources to remote areas, residential areas , and schools; ensuring that people have convenient access to books and knowledge .

Furthermore , it is necessary to develop and implement reading culture development programs and plans suitable for each target group; focusing on students, workers, people with disabilities, and people in remote areas ; developing open library models and flexible, friendly reading spaces in residential areas, schools, and public areas; building community bookshelves and digital bookshelves to facilitate people's access to books and knowledge ; organizing reading promotion activities, guiding reading skills, information searching and processing skills; and developing lifelong reading and learning habits in the community.

Simultaneously, strengthen the application of information technology in library management and operation; deploy a synchronized and unified library management software system throughout the province ; promote the digitization of information resources, prioritizing local history documents, rare documents, and valuable documents; build and develop digital databases and digital libraries to serve the people ; improve the quality of library staff, ensuring sufficient numbers and enhancing quality; focus on training and developing professional knowledge, skills, and digital technology skills.