Latest regulations on library activity standards in Vietnam

Library activity standards are specifically stipulated in Article 7 of Circular 14/2023/TT-BGDDT as follows:

Activities serving library users in Vietnam

- Guiding library users to comply with library rules, read signage and symbols; look up, search, and choose information resources;

- Enabling library users to study, research in reading spaces; advising library users to look up, search, and choose information resources; provide information resource lending services;

- Exhibiting and displaying information resources, services of libraries;

- Providing meal, refreshment, recreational, document printing, photocopying, duplicating services among other services depending on conditions of each university library;

- Conducting other activities depending on demand of library users.

Latest regulations on library activity standards in Vietnam (Internet image)

Professional library activities in Vietnam

- Developing information resources;

- Processing information resources and organizing information lookup system;

- Preserving information resources;

- Creating and providing library information products and library services;

- Connecting with other libraries;

- Developing reading culture;

- Developing digital library;

- Modernizing the library;

- Implementing library communication;

- Implementing international cooperation regarding libraries;

- Evaluating library operation.

Digital library development in Vietnam

+ Digital library must be compatible and connected to digital information resource database and relevant systems; ensure authenticity and integrity of digital information resources; adhere to national and international standards;

+ Digital library services include providing, sharing, and using digital information resources. Provision of digital library services must adhere to regulations and law on intellectual property, information technology, and cybersecurity;

+ Digital libraries shall available via the Internet or internal network; ensure safety and security for user database and control access of accounts; be maintained, upgraded, and repaired in a timely manner.

Connection with other libraries in Vietnam

(1) Connection rules

- University libraries shall connect to one another on the basis of voluntary connection, sharing, and contribution of common information resources; cooperate on the basis of agreement between libraries and unified procedures in order to improve use effectiveness of information resource; comply with regulations and law on intellectual property, information technology, cybersecurity and relevant law provisions;

- In order to establish connection with each other, university libraries are required to have: Compatible information technology infrastructure; digital information sources are edited and technically processed in accordance with national and international standards; library management software capable of connecting with other libraries and expanding API connection or connections according to national and international standards; appropriate personnel to adapt, operate, use, share;

- Manage and use connected information resources in accordance with purposes, effectiveness, and connection rules.

(2) Method of connection

University libraries shall join connection via connection methods established under connection regulations, including:

- Regarding published information resources: Connected university libraries shall transfer the information resources on a regular, periodic basis;

- Regarding digital information resources: Connected university libraries shall share and grant access to digital information resources;

- Other appropriate means.

(3) Connection principles

Connection between university libraries shall be implemented in a centralized or distributed manner. Implementation and operation plans for university library connection established under connection regulations and principles are required.

(4) Responsibilities of university libraries joining connection

- University libraries leading the connection are responsible for:

Developing connection regulations and principles, which identify methods of developing, sharing, utilizing common information resources; level of sharing, access of users; using information resources, information products and services;

Sharing and contributing information resources to common system;

Providing professional assistance for connecting university libraries;

University libraries leading the connection shall be prioritized as beneficiaries in development investment policies as per applicable law.

- University libraries joining the connection are responsible for:

Participating in developing connection regulations and principles;

Sharing and contributing information resources to common system according to connection regulations and principles.

Mai Thanh Loi

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