Digital transformation for all public libraries

BAGAN DATUK: All public libraries in the country will be transformed into digital libraries, in stages, beginning this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would help in obtaining allocation from the federal government for the endeavour to turn the nation’s future generation into an informed society in conjunction with the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).

In this regard, he said the corporate sector, Bursa Malaysia listed companies, governmentlinked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) had been invited to assist the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) by adopting a library, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“The process in getting information should not only be through formal education channels in schools; students need to obtain information from other sources.

“The public should not be denied access to information, so this digital library initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and PNM ought to be emulated,” he said in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bagan Datuk Digital Library at Dataran Amanjaya Bagan Datuk here yesterday.

Also present were Minister of Tourism and Culture Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz and PNM director-general Datuk Nafisah Ahmad.

“I would seek for the companies that do this CSR in support of the government’s effort to digitalise public libraries in the country, to be given corporate tax exemption as an incentive,” said Ahmad Zahid.

The proposed Bagan Datuk Digital Library to be built near Bagan Datuk Waterfront with a total area of 557.4 sq metres costing RM5.4 million will be the first digital library in the country.