Conference – Workshop on the Application of the Dewey Decimal Classification 23 (DDC 23) in the Professional Activities of Vietnamese Libraries

According to vuthuvien.bvhttdl.gov.vn - On September 19-20, 2024, in Ninh Binh province, the National Library of Vietnam (NLV) organized the "Conference - Workshop on Application of the Dewey Decimal Classification 23 (DDC 23) in the Professional Activities of Vietnamese Libraries (2014-2023)".

Attending the conference were Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga – Director of the Library Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung – Director of the National Library; leaders of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province; representatives and staff working in professional fields from provincial/city libraries, specialized libraries, armed forces libraries, university libraries, and information and library training institutions nationwide…

Overview of the Conference/Seminar

After 10 years of applying DDC23 – the Vietnamese edition, document classification in the Vietnamese library system has undergone positive changes, contributing to supporting the process of organizing collections, cataloging, retrospective document and data retrieval, bibliography compilation, etc., making document searching easier, faster, and more accurate, facilitating the exchange, sharing, and exploitation of information between libraries, and saving operating costs. To date, the Dewey Decimal Classification Framework has been widely disseminated nationwide, becoming the top choice for institutions to apply and develop implementation plans when conditions allow for conversion. The presentations at the Conference focused on researching theoretical and practical issues in the application of the DDC 23 Classification Framework; the advantages and difficulties in the application process, and also offered solutions and recommendations for the future.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung – Director of the National Television Station – delivered the opening speech at the Conference and Workshop.

In her keynote address at the conference, Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Director of the Library Department, outlined several directions and solutions to enhance the application of the Dewey Decimal Classification Framework – 23rd Edition, specifically: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should continue to improve the institutional framework, review, develop, issue, and amend mechanisms and policies related to library operations, and issue mandatory documents for the application of common professional standards throughout the Vietnamese library system; other ministries and sectors should focus on issuing directives for the application of international professional standards, including DDC 23, to libraries under their management; the Ministry of Information and Communications needs to establish specific mechanisms and regulations for publishers to participate in pre-publication cataloging. The National Library of Vietnam needs to strengthen the organization of advanced training courses on the use of DDC 23, and hold forums for exchange, discussion, and consensus on issues with differing opinions and viewpoints regarding the application of DDC 23. Libraries and information agencies should advise their superiors and develop plans for applying DDC 23 within their units, aiming for the common use of international professional standards throughout the Vietnamese library network. Library staff trained and guided on the principles and methods of using DDC 23 by the National Library of Vietnam should actively disseminate the knowledge gained to cataloging staff in their libraries and organize training programs on the use of DDC 23 for library staff at the grassroots level to ensure the consistent application of classification standards in information resource processing.

Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga – Director of the Library Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivered a keynote speech at the Conference/Workshop.

The Director of the Library Department also affirmed that DDC 23 is an important international tool for accessing and exchanging information in library activities and services. Therefore, Vietnamese libraries need to strengthen the application of DDC 23 to improve the effectiveness of standardizing library operations and promote the integration of Vietnamese libraries with the global library community.

 

Text: Compiled by Phuong Nhung, Photos: National Television