Brunei Develops Access To Reading Materials

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty's Government through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is developing access to reading materials either through printed or electronic means.

Awang Haji Jemat Bin Haji Ampal, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, made this remark at the closing of the 12th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL) at the International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday morning.

He said that through the Eighth National Development Plan, the government has allocated $4 million to build four community libraries to be completed by the middle of next year.

“The community libraries will become additional reading places where reading campaigns can be carried out to enhance reading awareness among the young people,” he added.

The concluded 12th Congress highlighted the role of librarian and information professionals in information resources empowerment in the promotion of knowledge heritage.

Beside sharing and adopting best practices in library and information towards service excellence and world class collection, the conference also advocated for the effective changes and continuous improvement in libraries and the profession by harnessing the ICT development.

Some key proposals had been adopted by the executive board of the CONSAL. Among others, the proposals focused on the regional professional accreditation at the regional level, bridging the knowledge divide in the region, cultural preservation and professional ethics and Information Professional Resource (IPR).

The Republic of the Philippines will host the 13th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians to be held in 2006.

Meanwhile, Brunei plans to establish a national library depending on the approval by the government.

Dayang Nellie Haji Sunny, President of Brunei Library Association and Co-Chairman of the Congress, said the proposal was included in the Resolution of the 12th CONSAL Conference where CONSAL nations would forward to their respective government.

She said the CONSAL gives several advantages to Brunei in which various projects have been implemented. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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