From February20-21, 2019, the 27thConference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania – abbreviated asCDNLAO 27) was held at the National Library of Singaporewith the participation of 41 delegates representing22 national libraries in the region. The conference selected the theme “What is our future? National Libraries in 2040” to celebrate the 40th anniverary of CDNL-AO establishment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Ms. Elaine Ng – Chief Executive of the National Library Board Singapore, chair person of the conference, welcomed all delegates and affirmed the role of CDNL-AO in sharing and bringing together issues and solutions for national libraries in the region. She also emphasized that future is the age of digital era when libraries are facing with many challenges in the industrial revolution 4.0, thus the library sector in general and the national libraries in particular need to orient the future, develop plans and visions for the national libraries in 2040.
During the discussion session, national libraries of such countries as Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand... have contributed ideas through presentations about: what capacities national libraries should pay attention to in order to accomplish the goals of collecting, connecting or collaborating; defining positions and visions of national libraries in 2040; contributions to the information infrastructure of social and universal access; improving the library and information professional qualification; developing the plans of national libraries in 2040; prospects in achieving sustainable development goals; future of national libraries... In addtion, the IFLA regional office for Asia and Oceania also presented the operation plan and proposals for 2019, introduced and called for contributions to the CDNL-AO E-Newsletter.
On the same day, the discussion session of the “Silk road international library alliance” forum was also conducted. During this session, delegates listened to presentations and discussions about situation, plans and solutions for implementation of the project “Silk road international library alliance” in the countries the project is going on. These papers focused on thematic activities and digital collaborations for this program; strengthening the establishment of more digital libraries to meet the community needs; providing free access to digital libraries; putting forward ideas to collaborate in training, conducting seminars for the national libraries in the region; efforts to contribute more resources to the digital libraries; finding out key issues of the library sector and proposing solutions to problems...
On the sidelines of the conference, delegates visited the exhibition “Selling dreams” at the National Library of Singapore. The exhibition showcased the first models and advertising materials of Singaporean people in the new migration period on many areas such as fashion, consumer products, food, restaurants, hotels, tourism...
Photos of the same event:
Overview of the CDNLAO 27
Ms. Elaine Ng – Chief Executive of the National Library Board Singapore delivering the Conference’s opening remarks
Mrs. Nguyen Ngoc Anh – Deputy Director of the NLV speaking at the conference
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The NLV’s delegation meeting and discussing with delegates attending the conference
Delegates taking souvenir photos
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News: Hong Nga; photos: National Library of Singapore & Hong Nga