Date Published: Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Category: Culture
Algiers – On Monday, Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Bellou, presided over a symposium focused on the national networking of sectoral libraries and digital transformation. The event, held in Algiers, brought together senior officials from the ministry, directors of cultural institutions, public libraries, and the committee responsible for library networking and digitization, according to a statement issued by the ministry.
Focus on Modernizing Library Services Through Networking
The symposium centered on “enhancing and modernizing library services to meet the expectations of readers and citizens,” emphasizing the importance of digital transformation and national networking as tools for improving efficiency and accessibility in public libraries.
In his address, Minister Bellou stressed the necessity of keeping pace with technological advancements by improving public library services. He described networking and digitization as “the only effective means to facilitate library services and make them more accessible to citizens, particularly readers.”
The minister also called on sector officials to “encourage and promote reading among citizens,” highlighting the need to embrace the rapid advancements in digitization and artificial intelligence, which offer significant opportunities to enhance public services.
Expanding Access to Library Collections
Minister Bellou emphasized the need to make the public library collections, which exceed 2.4 million items, accessible to a broader audience. He underscored that this goal is unattainable without digitization and networking, which serve as vital tools for fostering knowledge, culture, and scientific research nationwide.
He further pointed out that the ministry’s ongoing efforts to establish and equip libraries with books and resources would remain insufficient without adapting to the digital age and the changing habits of younger, tech-savvy generations.
Commitment to Technical Excellence
The minister praised the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Arts to provide the necessary technical and human resources for the digitization of libraries. This includes employing IT technicians and engineers to ensure that libraries meet the challenges of digitization and networking.
He described the symposium as a “crucial link between the central administration and local cultural officials” and an “opportunity to exchange ideas and professional experiences.” It also aimed to identify and address the challenges faced by library directors in managing public libraries.
The event reinforced the ministry’s commitment to promoting innovation in library services and ensuring they align with contemporary digital trends, ultimately serving the public’s cultural and intellectual needs more effectively.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
