HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam spoke at a library seminar in Hà Nội on Wednesday to discuss the application of technology in improving the country’s library system.

“Technology development brings both challenges and opportunities to many industries, including libraries,” the Deputy PM said, “We need to proactively face the challenges to turn them into opportunities.”

The seminar was entitled "Library activity development and innovation in the new era".

He said scientific and technological advancements have changed the operation of libraries.

"Libraries nationwide have been transforming from the traditional library model to the modern digital one."

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), the library sector has contributed to the diversity of information and supported access to information resources.

Digital libraries create opportunities for accessing documentaries and information resources anywhere, anytime. Readers will be able to access the resources with an internet-connected computer or smart device without needing to go to a library.

If they do not actively innovate, traditional libraries will face the risk of lagging behind the world library community.

With the Việt Nam National University currently developing a shared digital library, Đam proposed building a model to replicate libraries in the system and turn the small library into a national public one.

“Digitisation of library resources nationwide will attract hundreds of millions of readers,” Đam said.

This will be a great opportunity for libraries all over the country to become public libraries for all people to access information anywhere and anytime.

Although the application of information technology has been enhanced, efficiency is not high and adaptability with the change of library staff is limited and lacks professional knowledge, management and administration.

Drastic changes must be made by the whole library sector, by the MoCST in its management and administration and by librarians to attract readers more effectively.

The seminar aimed to assess the status and achievements of the library sector in the process of economic, cultural and social development, thus identifying its direction in the new era.

The Deputy PM also said it is necessary to rely on workers to develop quickly and sustainably.

“The authorities must synchronise activities in various areas including the library,” Đam said.

The culture ministry will collect and synthesise data in the coming time to finalise the Law on Libraries. — VNS