Nghe An digitally transforms public library system

On September 15, 2022, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has just issued Plan No. 630/KH-UBND on Digital transformation of the public library system in Nghe An province by 2025, with a vision to 2030.

The goal set out in the plan is that by 2025, step by step, invest in and develop the public library system into a modern library, deploy synchronous equipment infrastructure, automate professional expertise, apply integrated library management software, digital libraries to library operations; deploy interconnection, create and share resources and information products between libraries in the province and the whole country.

Students come to read books at Nghe An Provincial Library. Photo: Minh Quan

Connecting digital media, interactive reading applications, and visual search for readers anytime, anywhere is done effectively via Internet connection on the Web environment and smartphone applications... Building a public library system's electronic information page to provide online services on the website.

Maximize the application of new technologies in the digital transformation era for the Nghe An Provincial Library sector such as: cloud computing technology (Cloud), artificial intelligence technology (AI), big data (Big Data)... to comprehensively digitally transform the province's public library system on modern technology as well as provide the best utilities for readers in the province.

Nghe An Provincial Library staff enter data for new books. Photo: Minh Quan

The plan sets out specific targets that by 2025: 80% of ancient, rare documents and document collections of special value on history, culture, and science collected and managed by the Provincial Library and district and commune libraries will be digitized; 100% of managers and librarians will be trained and retrained, and updated with knowledge and skills in modern library management and operation.

Also according to the plan, orientation to 2030: Continue to promote digital transformation, develop digital libraries, digitize documents to ensure effective library service provision for users; 100% of district-level libraries use electronic library software deployed by the Provincial Library, aiming for a centralized library system, ensuring connectivity and convenient resource sharing.

Students of Huong Tien Primary School, Thanh Huong Commune (Thanh Chuong) read books at the school library. Photo: Minh Quan

To achieve the above goals, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture and Sports to coordinate with relevant departments, branches, and People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns to review, advise, and propose amendments and supplements to mechanisms and policies related to the library sector to effectively serve the requirements of digital transformation, focusing on policies for librarians.

Advise on building mechanisms and policies to attract organizations, businesses and individuals to participate in investing in library development; encourage sponsorship and contributions, material support as well as other conditions to implement digital transformation in the library sector.

Prioritize investment in purchasing and upgrading technical infrastructure (hardware infrastructure, software infrastructure), smart library equipment to meet the requirements of building a digital library in the direction of modern, flexible, and interconnected connections at the Provincial Library.

Focus on digitizing documents and resources, library information products on the basis of creating new ones and integrating them into existing databases in an open direction. Increase investment in upgrading equipment and smart library systems on the basis of enhancing the application of modern information technology in district and commune level libraries, libraries in schools across the province...