KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The digital transformation of the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) is not only modernising its services but also expanding public access to quality knowledge and information, while helping to bridge the digital divide.
Deputy Minister of National Unity R. Yuneswaran said PNM must continue to spearhead digital transformation to strengthen its role in preserving the nation’s repository of knowledge, fostering understanding of the country’s history, language, culture and identity, and serving as a reference centre for the public to access authentic information.
He said advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing, and immersive technology, have transformed how people search for, analyse, produce, and consume information.
“This is where PNM plays an important role in transitioning from analogue to digital to facilitate public access to information, while also enhancing reading literacy among the public.
“Over the past 15 years, reading literacy among the public has increased to an average of 20 to 25 books per person per year, reflecting that there is still an interest in reading among the public,” he said when officiating the 2026 National Digital Librarians Seminar here today.
He said collections of printed and digital reading materials, information literacy programmes, and interactive and immersive learning platforms enabled libraries to serve as a bridge connecting the public with the nation’s history, language, culture and identity.
The two-day seminar, themed ‘Visibility, Inclusivity, Resilience’, brought together more than 400 participants from the library sector, government, academia and the technology industry to strengthen librarians’ digital competencies and accelerate the transformation of the country’s library services.
Meanwhile, PNM director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli said technological changes required librarians to master skills in data management, digital applications, online source evaluation, as well as methods of interacting with AI technology.
In this regard, he said PNM prioritises human resource development and digital competency to ensure that library personnel are prepared to face technological changes.
He said PNM has developed seven AI- and digital-based initiatives, namely the eDana Penulis system, Jawi-to-Rumi transliteration system (MyAKSARA), AI Cataloger, eDokumen, eRepositori, i-Bilik system and AI-Chatbot librarian.
Edy Irwan said the initiatives demonstrated the use of technology across various aspects of library services, including workflow management, library facilities, cataloguing, preservation of heritage collections and the provision of digital reference services.
“In terms of preserving the nation’s heritage collections, PNM has digitised 75,042 titles, equivalent to 4,470,776 pages as of August this year, covering Malay manuscripts, rare collections, newspaper microfilms and government gazettes.
“The digitisation of these collections is being carried out continuously to enrich digital content that can be accessed by the public through PNM’s MyRepositori portal,” he said.
At the same event, Yuneswaran also launched the PNM Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2026-2030 eBook and the Digital Library Guidelines in Malaysia, in a move to strengthen the digital library ecosystem and make it more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable.
-- BERNAMA