Students exploring materials and textbooks at the book festival at University of Science, Hue University
Two weeks since its launch, the digital library of University of Pedagogy, Hue University has attracted about 9,300 visitors. With a collection of materials on 12 training specialties, including textbooks and references (3,709 documents), and already purchased access to 2 specialized electronic databases ProQuest Central and SienceDirect meeting the students’ needs for learning and scientific researching;this digital library could initially attract readers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, a third-year student at this university shared: "The digital library meets the students’ needs since they find it convenient to search for documents remotely.”
The birth of the digital library of University of Pedagogy, Hue University not only complies with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 206/QD-TTg approving the "Program on digital transformation of the library industry until 2025, with orientation to 2030," but also heads towards developing the habit of reading for students, especially when the number of readings has tended to decrease in the past time, and the reading culture has been affected by the internet and technological entertainment devices.
According to Ms. Le Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Information Center - Library of the University of Pedagogy, Hue University, excluding the two academic years affected by the pandemic (2019-2020, 2020-2021), the statistics on readers/readings have also caused considerable concerns. The figure for the 2016-2017 academic year was 39,199/100,000, and that of the 2017-2018 academic year decreased to 33,850/128,618. In the 2018-2019 academic year, this number even declined to 13,626/53,294.
University of Science, Hue University creating a friendly space for students to enjoy reading
The reading movement is more or less affected not only in the library of University of Pedagogy, Hue University, but also in many libraries of other universities. Therefore, the transformation and change of the library operation model is inevitable.
According to the representative of the library department of University of Tourism, Hue University, related surveys over the years have shown that the reading culture of students has been greatly affected when technology and a series of entertainment facilities were introduced. The situation in which students are too lazy or reluctant to read appears to be more common, and students' reading habits and reading methods have also changed. This requires libraries to change and digitize themselves.
In Hue, universities have been focusing strongly on digital transformation in the field of libraries. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Sy, Director of the Information Center - Library of University of Science, Hue University, said that the university had paid attention to building a digital library since 2014, and it would have been relatively complete by 2020. Currently, one of the important tasks is continuing to digitize documents, textbooks, scientific articles, graduation and M.A theses, etc., to satisfy the needs of students. On average, more than 3,000 documents are digitized each year.
Along with digitalizing the library, renewing the reading space is also a solution to arouse interests for readers to come to the traditional library. At many units such as the University of Science, Hue University or Phu Xuan University, etc., the reading spaces are becoming friendlier with more green plants being decorated. There are also air-conditioned rooms and check-in areas to arouse students’ interest in reading.
Mr. Nguyen Tuong Du, President of the Student Union of University of Science, Hue University, said that the Student Union of the University would launch a movement of going to the library two days a week from this year to respond, spread the reading culture and develop students’ habit of reading.
Universities also apply many solutions in transforming the library model to increase students' ability to self-study, self-research and read. Among which, libraries of such universities host reading contests for students, exhibit and introduce books, invite speakers to share about the value and habits of reading, etc.
Libraries also increase investment in facilities, install modern equipment and form students’ on-site reading habits; cooperate with lecturers who orientate students towards books and documents for reference.
Story & photos: MINH TAM