Developing a reading culture in the digital age.

“I really enjoy reading, not only for relaxation and entertainment but also to find advice and new knowledge to apply to my life. Nowadays, besides physical books, with just a smartphone and a suitable app, I can easily read e-books anywhere.” – These shared thoughts from a reader partly show that, in the digital age, reading culture in our country still receives attention from a large number of people, although the approach has changed.

Generations of readers, especially young readers, now have many different means and choices to access knowledge and information. Photo: Hoang Tuyet/Tin Tuc Newspaper

Opportunities for developing a reading culture.

Regarding the necessity of reading culture in community life, many opinions share the common view that every good book is a companion, helping each person discover new things, enhance knowledge, develop creative thinking, and enrich their life experiences. In the digital age, information technology and digital transformation are taking place rapidly, bringing many conveniences. For reading culture, in addition to physical books, e-books and audiobooks have been and are developing. Generations of readers, especially young readers, now have many different means and choices to access knowledge and information.

According to Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Director of the Library Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism): Like many other fields, the digital transformation process has brought both opportunities and challenges to the library sector. The remarkable development of information technology has led to the emergence of many new information resources, digital information sources, which offer numerous advantages in terms of sharing, storage, and exchange, attracting a large number of users and thus forming new habits for modern readers. In addition, the information needs of users are increasing, and the number of people requiring information is growing. All of this necessitates the development of digital libraries and digital information resources to meet societal needs and contribute to promoting a reading culture in community life.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Nguyen, Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution ( Ministry of Information and Communications ), stated that digital transformation is a general trend. For the publishing sector, digital transformation creates diversification of products, formats, and publishing models, while also creating a publishing market, moving towards a borderless publishing "story." For the book industry, digital transformation is a new driving force, helping to expand the reach to readers.

From the perspective of a parent and frequent reader, Ms. Nguyen Kim Nga, from Linh Xuan ward (Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City), shared: "On weekends or holidays, I take my children for walks, to the Book Street for fun and relaxation, and choose some books suitable for their age. Besides the content, I find that books now often have very 'eye-catching' printing and presentation that attract readers. As for me, I usually read e-books through downloaded applications on my phone, which is very convenient during travel or while waiting for my children. The shift from reading paper books to online reading is part of the current reading trend. But I still prefer buying beautifully printed paper books with good content or by famous authors to keep for a long time or as gifts for relatives and friends."

Development is linked to digital transformation.

In reality, developing a reading culture in the current digital age requires various sectors and functional units to simultaneously implement appropriate solutions to create a reading environment and provide friendly and convenient amenities for the public.

According to Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Head of the Library Department: Currently in Vietnam, the library network is a diverse cultural institution developing from the central to the grassroots level. In the context of digital transformation, many libraries are gradually shifting from the traditional library model to building a traditional library combined with modern, electronic, and digital libraries. The operation of the public library system has undergone many innovations and improvements in quality to ensure access to information and knowledge, and to develop a reading culture. Electronic and digital documents, and online services in libraries have been enhanced, creating a user-friendly reading environment and convenient facilities.

In addition to maintaining traditional library services such as reading, borrowing and returning materials, and on-site information consultation, many libraries have enhanced mobile and online services, providing remote access to digitized resources, databases, and electronic books and journals to access information resources via the internet.

Sharing her experience in developing a reading culture in the context of digital transformation, Ms. Bui Thuy Hai, Director of Quang Ninh Provincial Library, said: Quang Ninh Provincial Library has updated and upgraded its modern digital document management software and technical infrastructure with suitable features, making information access more convenient for users and attracting readers to the library. However, the library recognizes the need to maintain the development of the traditional library alongside promoting digital transformation.

Ms. Bui Thuy Hai also suggested that, in the future, libraries should gradually apply artificial intelligence (AI) to some of their activities and services. Libraries could create collections of audiobooks and storytelling based on reader requests; and set up automated games (via AI) for readers to play when they visit the library, allowing them to interact with the computer to answer pre-installed knowledge-based games.

Based on the practical experience of a publishing and book distribution company, a representative from Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Co., Ltd. stated: Currently, the company is focusing on integrating audio, images, videos, and other media to create a multimedia experience for readers, while also building an online reading community and increasing connections between authors, publishers, and readers through forums and social networks.

Recently, at the end of October 2024, to commemorate the Traditional Day of the Vietnamese Publishing, Printing and Book Distribution Industry, and in response to the National Digital Transformation Day, the Book and Digital Transformation Week was successfully organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications in collaboration with several units at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street (District 1), contributing to the development of reading culture in the context of digital transformation. Readers had the opportunity to experience more than 3,000 e-books and audiobooks, along with many new ways to access books and experience book-related technologies associated with digital transformation.

During the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2015), Ho Chi Minh City Book Street continued to attract a large number of visitors who came to browse and purchase books, newspapers, and many other unique publications. At the same time, people could experience e-books and audiobooks, offering a very interesting multi-sensory experience. Affirming the brand of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street as a cultural destination attracting locals and tourists, a place where people come to visit, read, and buy books, and also interact with authors, in the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company Limited will promote e-books and audiobooks alongside traditional printed books, contributing to the development of reading culture in the context of digital transformation.

Thanh Tra (VNA)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-hoa/phat-trien-van-hoa-doc-trong-thoi-dai-cong-nghe-so-20250202090959725.htm