From November 26 to 29, 2025, at the invitation of the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV), a delegation of experts from the National Library of China (NLC) paid a working visit to the NLV in Hanoi. The delegation included Mr. Rong Jie, Director of Stack Management and Reader Services Department, and Ms. Luo Chong, Deputy Director of the Coordination and Operation Management Division. Within the framework of the meeting at the NLV, the two sides exchanged professional expertise to enhance mutual understanding, connectivity, and expand cooperation between the two national libraries. The discussions focused on the theme “Library products and services in the digital environment,” a key element in the digital transformation process of modern libraries. The Chinese experts provided an overview of reader services of the NLC based on their latest smart library initiatives. Notable models and solutions included: (1) The application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in library services: Utilizing indoor positioning systems, RFID technology, and smart bookshelves to optimize stack management and support users in quickly locating materials; (2) Immersive interactive technologies: Leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the reading and learning experience; (3) Introduction of the National Smart Library System of China, with particular emphasis on the Smart Service Platform for Ancient Chinese Books, launched in April 2025. The platform was developed with the participation of the NLC and more than 180 institutions across 31 provinces and cities, providing “one-stop” access to 13,000 titles comprising over 140,000 volumes of rare ancient books.
In accordance with Decision No. 1503/QD-BVHTTDL dated May 23, 2025 by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on November 27, 2025, in Lang Son Province, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) organized the Conference – Workshop “Library Services and Products in the Digital Environment.” Library services and products play a crucial role in determining the operational quality and social influence of any library. If a library is regarded as an institution that connects knowledge with the community, then its services and products are the direct tools ensuring that knowledge is delivered effectively, equitably, and sustainably to users. This also serves as a benchmark reflecting the library’s capacity to meet information needs, its level of innovation, and its adaptability within various developmental contexts. In this context, the Conference – Workshop entitled “Library Services and Products in the Digital Environment” was organized to provide an academic forum for managers, experts, researchers, and technology providers to share experiences, present research findings, identify new trends, assess current situation, and propose feasible solutions for the next development phase of Viet Nam’s library system.
In implementation of the 2025 work program of the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) and Decision No. 1504/QĐ-BVHTTDL dated May 23, 2025, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) regarding the organization of digital transformation training program for the library sector, from September 24–25, 2025, the National Library of Viet Nam, in collaboration with relevant agencies, organized a training workshop entitled "Solutions for Preservation of Digital Information Resources" in Hue City. Digital transformation is an inevitable trend in the development of modern libraries, creating a foundation for expanding access to knowledge, improving service quality for citizens, and meeting the requirements of building a Digital Government and a Digital Society. However, within this process, the preservation of digital information resources, including ensuring data integrity, availability, durability, and security is a fundamental step that determines the sustainability of digital library systems.
From 18 to 21 August 2025, the 89th World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA WLIC 2025) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. Marked as the Congress with the largest attendance to date, this year’s event attracted nearly 1,700 participants from 114 countries, including directors of national libraries, information specialists, researchers, educators, librarians, interns, as well as representatives from leading publishers and library equipment enterprises worldwide. Under the theme “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”, more than 80 professional sessions and 15 sideline events were held during the Congress, covering such topics as artificial intelligence, big data, digital libraries, collection preservation, inclusiveness, and standards. In her opening address, IFLA President Vicki McDonald (2023–2025 term) emphasized: “The Congress is a platform for sharing values and strengthening the collective voice of the library sector, affirming the importance of demonstrating that libraries are unafraid of change and are ready to embrace innovative solutions to better serve their communities.”
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