Building a digital knowledge ecosystem through library transformation.

Digital transformation is no longer limited to digitizing documents but is expanding into the process of building an interconnected digital knowledge infrastructure. Experts believe that an ecosystem connecting libraries, publishers, and training institutions is necessary to meet the demand for access to knowledge in the digital age.

Digital transformation in libraries needs to go beyond simply digitizing documents.

On May 30th, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, in collaboration with the Vietnam Digital Library (ViLIB), organized a scientific conference titled "Digital Transformation of Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities". The conference attracted the participation of experts, managers, researchers, and representatives from organizations operating in the fields of libraries, publishing, and technology.

Overview of the scientific conference "Digital Transformation of Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities".

According to Dr. Thai Thu Hoai, Deputy Head of the Department of Library and Publishing, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, digital transformation is demanding comprehensive innovation for the library sector. Libraries are no longer simply places for storing and disseminating traditional documents, but need to be repositioned as a part of the national digital knowledge infrastructure, playing a role in connecting, organizing, sharing, and disseminating knowledge in the digital environment.

However, this process still faces many challenges. Library data remains scattered, lacks standardization, and does not guarantee interoperability between databases. Digitization activities in many units are still localized, and a shared data ecosystem has not yet been formed.

In addition, the technological infrastructure is limited, and the human resources do not meet practical requirements; issues related to digital copyright, electronic publishing, and digital resource sharing also pose many new demands on the library sector.

According to the organizers, the workshop received 33 papers focusing on issues such as building digital knowledge infrastructure, developing digital libraries, digital transformation associated with reading culture and a learning society, data governance, digital copyright, human resources, and policy solutions for the library sector.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen The Dung, former Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, believes that developing digital libraries is not simply about investing in technology or digitizing documents, but rather a comprehensive process of innovation in management, information resource organization, and user service methods. In the digital environment, technology platforms, library services, access interfaces, and search tools need to be designed with the user at the center, enhancing the experience and expanding access to information.

Mr. Dung also emphasized that developing digital libraries requires sustainable investment in technology infrastructure, data security, database copyright, human resource training, and system operation. Without common standards and architecture, libraries will continue to develop individually, hindering interoperability and data sharing, and reducing investment efficiency.

Experts, researchers, and museum professionals shared many practical experiences at the workshop.

Towards an interconnected digital knowledge ecosystem.

Based on practical experience in public library operations, Master Vinh Quoc Bao, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library, believes that the formation of the new Ho Chi Minh City opens up opportunities to restructure the library system towards a more modern and efficient direction. According to him, the elimination of the district level creates a gap in coordination, therefore, it is necessary to build an integrated two-level digital library model to maintain connectivity and system operation.

He proposed a centralized governance mechanism for copyright and digital resources, with the central library acting as the core connecting local libraries. If implemented effectively, people in all areas could access a shared resource pool through a digital library card and internet-connected devices. However, differences in management software, technological infrastructure, and digital skills among local staff remain challenges that need to be addressed.

At the workshop, many opinions suggested that the biggest bottleneck today is not a lack of resources but rather the fragmentation of data and the lack of interconnected mechanisms. Sharing this view, Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Founder and Chairman of ViLIB, noted that people's need to access knowledge is shifting strongly towards online environments, while many libraries still operate independently, lacking data sharing and system connectivity.

Experts and delegates exchanged and discussed ideas.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, ViLIB is developing a shared digital library model that connects libraries, publishers, training institutions, resource owners, and readers within a single ecosystem. This model aims to standardize data, share resources, expand access to knowledge, and create a mechanism for the legal and sustainable exploitation of digital resources.

One topic of great interest to many delegates was the role of publishers in the digital library ecosystem. According to Mr. Le Hoang, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company Limited, books from publishers are a crucial resource for library operations. However, many publishing houses still face difficulties in digital transformation, especially in developing e-books, addressing copyright issues, and investing in technological infrastructure.

Experts agree that digital transformation of libraries is a comprehensive restructuring of how knowledge is stored, managed, distributed, and accessed in a digital environment. Building an interconnected data ecosystem, perfecting copyright mechanisms, standardizing technological infrastructure, and strengthening coordination among libraries, publishers, training institutions, technology companies, and management agencies are considered prerequisites for forming a national digital knowledge infrastructure, contributing to promoting reading culture and building a learning society in the new era.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thuc-hien-nghi-quyet-57/xay-dung-he-sinh-thai-tri-thuc-so-tu-chuyen-doi-thu-vien-20260530163149832.htm