KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 — As the world is headed towards total digitalisation, the role of libraries as the hub of information, knowledge, and preserver of historical documents will stay relevant as ever.
American Librarian Association President-Elect Emily Drabinski said the optimistic outlook for the public institution is derived from the inadequacy that the online provider can contribute to its user which is the human factor.
She opined that libraries still maintain their roles in providing not just information but access to technology in the community while also emphasising the space that libraries provide for physical social interaction.
“We will always be here when the technology fails. We see that there is a lot of bad information available very easily on the internet but a library is a place that takes very seriously the role of providing information and making sure we select and acquire quality information for our communities,” Drabinski said.
She was speaking to Bernama after attending the Panel Discussion on The Roles Of Libraries As Community Connectors from the United States and Malaysia Perspectives and making a courtesy call at the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) here today.
Meanwhile, the President of the Librarians Association of Malaysia Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil said libraries especially in rural areas could function as solutions for social issues in its community and helps to build a better community that is modern and educated.
“Successful libraries are all about passion on all levels of its management, not just about the passion of the work but the passion to serve the community. If they (librarians) are passionate to serve they would break down walls and put aside any barriers.
“I have seen a number of good things happen when librarians are passionate. Just imagine if they are passionate and couple it with other things collaboratively and all that it will be wonderful and we can do even more moving forward,” he said.
— Bernama
