Digital transformation of the library towards effective service for teaching, learning and research of Hanoi University of Culture

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia said that by synchronously and effectively implementing activities, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has been gradually and successfully implementing the digital transformation process within its capacity and conditions. Aiming to become a modern, dynamic digital knowledge center and effectively serving the teaching, learning and research of Hanoi University of Culture.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia - Hanoi University of Culture said that digital transformation of libraries is an urgent task, which has long been put on top by university library information centers to utilize the strengths of information technology products to improve work processes, minimize manual operations, and reduce the time and effort of library information workers. At the same time, many useful tools and services are created for information users to access and exploit information resources more easily and conveniently.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia, for university libraries, a fundamental content and prerequisite of digital transformation is digitizing documents and building digital data warehouses.

Nowadays, digitizing library documents has become simple for all types of libraries. Libraries with digital equipment at what level will implement document digitization activities at that level depending on their actual conditions. Even with smart handheld devices such as mobile phones combined with free scanning software, library staff can digitize documents in popular formats to meet the document digitization requirements of their units.

For the current digitalization of printed documents, university libraries often implement it for types of documents including books, magazines, theses, dissertations, scientific reports, and other special documents of value. To optimize exploitation and use, university libraries prioritize the digitization of documents with high demand, rare documents or exclusive documents of the library.

The Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture is now equipped with a number of modern scanners, including the DL-Mini E-400 scanner, an all-in-one, high-speed (1,500 pages/60 minutes), large-size (A3, A4, A5, A6) automatic document digitization system.

Automatic scanner of Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture.

This is a great advantage for the digital transformation activities at the basic step of the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture. The type of documents currently being digitized are internal documents including theses, dissertations, conference proceedings in hard copy form that have not been digitized, which are being retrospectively reviewed and put into the digital document database on the Dspace digital library software. In addition, the type of books donated by the author with a commitment to transfer the right to exploit and use in all forms is also being digitized and put into service.

In addition, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture, collects and exploits multimedia documents such as music CDs, music videos and art works of lecturers of the Faculty of Cultural and Art Management of the University.

In particular, for programs and events to develop reading culture, introduce books, authors and works held at the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture, they are recorded as an information product posted on social networking channels for storage and users can refer to for a long time.

The Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture applies international standards on metadata (Dublin Core, MARC 21) to ensure effective data searching, access and interoperability. Digital data file formats have been referenced through training sessions of the National Library of Vietnam on digitizing library documents to implement digital transformation (held in Lao Cai in 2022).

Zalo OA Information Portal

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia, once a rich and diverse digital document database has been built, the next most important factor is a solid information technology infrastructure. This is the key factor to support digital services.

Integrated Library Management System (ILS-Integrated Library System/LMS- Library Management System): Inheriting the project from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has received the software system for managing and automating library administration operations with a centralized interface for unified information sources - Sierra of the United States. The digital resource management system is applied and developed on the open source platform Dspace. The integrated Dspace system includes standard subsystems: database management; user and access management; friendly web interface and search; system administration function; statistical reporting function... The portal system has a single search interface for all systems connected to: Library automation system, digital resource management system, online databases... developed on the VuFind platform with full functions: search; integration; access management; statistics.

This system helps the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture to be able to comprehensively manage library activities from supplementing, cataloging, circulating to serving digital documents. This is a very favorable opportunity for the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture to build and develop digital information resources to meet the needs of learning, teaching and scientific research of the University.

In addition, according to Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia, librarians are the decisive factor for the success of digital transformation. Recognizing the importance of improving the capacity of librarians, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture always creates the most favorable conditions for librarians to have the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills, participate in training courses, and self-train to develop a team that meets the requirements of digital transformation.

Step by step change from awareness to action, step by step the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has "transformed" in each specific activity of the digital transformation process.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia emphasized that digital transformation is not only about digitizing documents but also about providing new products and services. Using existing information technology equipment and software, taking advantage of free utilities and applications being provided on the network environment, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture, with innovation and creativity in work, has developed a number of library products and services in the digital environment.

In particular, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has built a friendly, easy-to-use centralized search portal, which is the only access point for all information resources and digital services. Here, users can easily search for information about paper documents as well as exploit digital documents. In addition, users can also access and exploit each type of document very conveniently and quickly with just 1 click, the website will navigate to the area to exploit the desired type of document.

To provide access points to the library's databases, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has initiated the Zalo OA direct search portal. This is a social network that is popular among young students and is provided free of charge by Zalo to organizations, especially educational organizations. The convenience is that students do not need to remember the link address to access the digital library website, but only need to open Zalo on their mobile phone or website and type the keyword "Hanoi University of Culture Library" and the portal will appear. Currently, the Zalo OA portal of the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture allows users to search and access digital documents anytime, anywhere via the internet.

Up to now, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has connected the digital library with other university systems according to the system established by NALA. This connection and sharing has helped the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture support users to exploit information and expand to the information systems of NALA member universities to create a seamless digital ecosystem.

IDK Digital Knowledge Connection Center Information Portal

In addition, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has carried out promotional activities, enhanced communication and promotion so that digital services are used effectively.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia, by synchronously and effectively implementing activities, the Library Information Center, Hanoi University of Culture has been taking small steps to successfully implement the digital transformation process within its capacity and conditions.

"We aspire and strive to become a modern, dynamic digital knowledge center that effectively serves the teaching, learning and research of Hanoi University of Culture. At the same time, we are ready to share digital knowledge information resources with schools under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the university system under NALA and expand further," Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghia expressed.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/chuyen-doi-so-thu-vien-huong-toi-phuc-vu-hieu-qua-cho-cong-tac-giang-day-hoc-tap-va-nghyen-cuu-cua-truong-dai-hoc-van-hoa-ha-noi-20251015151404405.htm