Latest news with #19thCongressofSoutheastAsianLibrariansGeneralConferenceandMeeting
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Digital Library Key To Equitable, Inclusive Knowledge Access
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has called on ASEAN member states to accelerate their participation in the ASEAN Digital Library (ADL), describing it as a crucial step toward equitable and inclusive access to knowledge across the region. He said the ADL is among the most promising and forward-looking regional initiatives, demonstrating what can be achieved when ASEAN nations come together with a shared commitment to preserving, sharing and democratising knowledge. 'The ASEAN Digital Library is a collaborative digital platform that aggregates metadata from the national libraries of ASEAN member states. 'While the system is still expanding, it already enables seamless cross-border access to tens of thousands of digitised materials, including rare manuscripts, books, cultural artefacts, images, newspapers, and more,' he said in his opening remarks at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX), launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, today. Aaron said to maximise ADL's potential, member states must invest in shared digital infrastructure, strengthen capacity-building for librarians and archivists, and adopt interoperable metadata standards to enable smoother integration of national collections. He also emphasised the need for bold efforts in supporting the digitisation of indigenous knowledge systems and local languages to ensure that the region's digital archives reflect the full spectrum of ASEAN's rich and diverse heritage. Meanwhile, Aaron said inclusive access to knowledge must be at the heart of nation-building, especially in rural and underserved communities. 'In building knowledge-based societies, we must ensure that no one is excluded, whether due to geography, economic status, age, gender, ability or language,' he said, adding that true inclusivity means the benefits of education and information must reach every corner of society. This includes expanding outreach efforts such as mobile libraries, digital kiosks and alternative service models which act as lifelines for learning, particularly for children, farmers, women and the elderly in rural areas.
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Anwar Urges Librarians To Nurture A Vibrant Reading Culture
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged librarians across the region to go beyond their traditional roles and take on the challenge of nurturing a vibrant reading culture, especially among the younger generation. Speaking at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX), Anwar said libraries must not merely serve as book repositories or aesthetic spaces, but rather as dynamic centres of knowledge, culture and intellectual engagement. 'A librarian's role is not only to collect books and decorate them in glass cabinets. It is to turn the library into a vital resource to raise awareness and inspire readers,' he said when opening the event at the World Trade Centre here today.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
PM Anwar urges librarians to inspire a reading culture
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged librarians across the region to go beyond their traditional roles and take on the challenge of nurturing a vibrant reading culture, especially among the younger generation. Speaking at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX), Anwar said libraries must not merely serve as book repositories or aesthetic spaces, but rather as dynamic centres of knowledge, culture and intellectual engagement. 'A librarian's role is not only to collect books and decorate them in glass cabinets. It is to turn the library into a vital resource to raise awareness and inspire readers,' he said when opening the event at the World Trade Centre here today. The Prime Minister also emphasised that librarians must become effective guides in introducing readers to exciting content, as well as utilising technology and digital tools to reach a wider audience. Also present were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, National Unity Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. -- More to follow
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Anwar urges librarians to nurture a vibrant reading culture
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged librarians across the region to go beyond their traditional roles and take on the challenge of nurturing a vibrant reading culture, especially among the younger generation. Speaking at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX), Anwar said libraries must not merely serve as book repositories or aesthetic spaces, but rather as dynamic centres of knowledge, culture and intellectual engagement. 'A librarian's role is not only to collect books and decorate them in glass cabinets. It is to turn the library into a vital resource to raise awareness and inspire readers,' he said when opening the event at the World Trade Centre here today. The Prime Minister also emphasised that librarians must become effective guides in introducing readers to exciting content, as well as utilising technology and digital tools to reach a wider audience. Also present were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, National Unity Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
