Public library system: Applying information technology to serve readers' needs

BAC NINH - In the context of the strong development of the 4.0 industrial revolution, digital transformation and library connectivity are not only inevitable trends but also urgent requirements to build a learning society and better serve the people's need to access culture and knowledge. In the general trend, the public library system in Bac Ninh has received much investment attention, initially implementing digitalization and applying information technology to serve readers.

Báo Bắc Ninh•11/09/2025

Initial movements

In recent years, the Party and the State have paid special attention and issued many mechanisms and policies to create a favorable legal corridor for the development of the library sector. In 2019, the 14th National Assembly passed the Library Law, which officially took effect from July 1, 2020. Then, in 2021, the Prime Minister approved the "Digital Transformation Program for the Library Sector to 2025, with a vision to 2030". This is an important foundation for libraries to promote the application of science and technology, creating new development momentum in the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution.

Readers borrow books at Bac Ninh Library No. 1.

Implementing the digital transformation program, Bac Ninh Library No. 1 digitizes an average of about 5,000 pages of documents each year and coordinates to digitize nearly 10,000 pages of geographical documents with content about Bac Giang province (old). The digitized documents ensure quality and are handed over to the Geographical Archives for storage and serving readers according to regulations. In 2024, the number of readers accessing electronic documents and looking up online catalogs on the website of Bac Ninh Library No. 1 reached more than 92,000, an increase of 161% compared to 2023; in the first 6 months of 2025, nearly 67,000 visits were reached, an increase of 216.3% compared to the same period in 2024. This shows that the demand for using online libraries is increasing.

Bac Ninh Library No. 2 has 245,000 books and nearly 5,000 bound newspapers and magazines. On average, each year, the unit receives about 800 million VND for its document resources. The library has applied Mylib software to manage documents, reader records, borrow and return books, and at the same time build an OPAC online search system. The library's website attracts about 1.5 million visits/year. In 2025, the unit has transferred the entire software system, database, website, and search system to the server of the Provincial Data Center. In addition, the library is also equipped with modern equipment such as computers, projectors, printers, scanners, barcode readers, etc.

Initial results have demonstrated that digital transformation brings positive results, increasingly meeting readers' needs, creating new momentum for library activities. However, libraries are also facing many difficulties and challenges in implementing digitalization.

Difficulties that need to be resolved

Survey at Bac Ninh Library No. 2, the unit is currently digitizing newspaper and magazine articles about Bac Ninh to update daily on the website. The Mylib software being used is from socialized support sources, not yet copyrighted software and does not meet professional standards. Because there has not been investment in building an electronic library or digital library, it is not yet possible to deploy resource sharing. At Bac Ninh Library No. 1, although Ilib 3.6 software has been applied in cataloging, searching, circulating, issuing reader cards..., this is old, outdated software, rarely upgraded, not meeting the needs of management and exploitation in the digital transformation period.

In the immediate future, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will direct units to review and evaluate the current situation; continue to propose investment in facilities, upgrade equipment, and apply modern technology; and at the same time guide localities to establish commune and ward libraries according to standards, expected to be completed by October 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Hong, Director of Bac Ninh Library No. 1 shared: “Digital transformation of libraries is not just about digitizing documents and providing them to readers, but also a comprehensive change related to technology, administration, human resources, copyright, document sharing mechanism, interactive connection with users... We look forward to specific instructions from ministries and branches on infrastructure bidding mechanism, copyright mechanism, as well as policies to attract human resources to operate digital libraries”.

Affirming that digital transformation and library connectivity are inevitable requirements, Mr. Khong Duc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: To effectively implement the goal of digital transformation of libraries, a long-term strategy and a specific roadmap are needed. In the immediate future, the Department will direct units to review and evaluate the current situation; continue to propose investment in facilities, upgrade equipment, and apply modern technology; at the same time, guide localities to establish commune and ward libraries according to standards, expected to be completed in October 2025. At the same time, the Department will focus on directing libraries to build digital resources, develop digital collections on geography, culture, and history of Bac Ninh; Bac Ninh Library No. 1 and No. 2 are assigned to coordinate in advising on the development of a digital library and electronic library project, expected to be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee in 2026. Once approved, the project will become a guideline to ensure that the public library system in the province is deployed synchronously and consistently. In addition, the Department actively coordinates with relevant agencies and units to promote propaganda, perfect mechanisms, policies and laws on digital library transformation; advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue specific regulations and instructions, creating a clear legal corridor for digitalization, interconnection and data sharing activities; and at the same time, have a mechanism to resolve copyright issues. The Department is also interested in coordinating training, coaching, improving qualifications and digital transformation skills for library staff.

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