Handy work: (Clockwise from above) Siti Balkis, Mohd Nur and Louis with their winning doodles.
FOLLOWING its inaugural launch in mid-2014, Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (PNM), in partnership with Samsung Malaysia Electronics (SME) Sdn Bhd, recently unveiled the country’s second Samsung SMART Library at the National Library of Perlis (PPANP).
The Samsung SMART Library initiative aims to support the national agenda to transform Malaysia into an information and communications technology (ICT)-proficient and information-rich society by year 2020.
It is also designed to help increase literacy and reading rates particularly among the rural communities and urban poor at the state level.
Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail officiated at the launch. Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil also graced the ceremony.
Also present were Perlis State Legislative Assembly speaker Hamdan Bahari, PNM director-general Nafisah Ahmad; SME president Lee Sang Hoon and SME director (Corporate Affairs) Roh Jae Yeol.
The launch of the Samsung SMART Library in Perlis is to fulfil the growing needs and demands of the local community for more advanced and interactive resource centres.
It will also promote better learning and ensure that information is accessible for all.
The Samsung SMART Library in Perlis is divided into three zones: Interactive, Reading and Kids. Among the facilities are over 35 Samsung devices for users, including tablets, large format displays and smart signage with touch screen capability.
Samsung SMART Library users in Perlis will also have access to 4,300 e-Book titles of various genres in English, Bahasa Melayu and Chinese at the Reading Zone.
Supplementary content such as e-Magazines, e-Newspapers and interactive websites with audio visual capability can be accessed at the Interactive Zone, while content suitable for children is offered at the Kids Zone.
Overall, this SMART Library is set to benefit more than 105,000 visitors to the state library, yearly.
There will also be interactive coaching, reading and education workshops to guide users in maximising the resources available at the Samsung SMART Library.
These sessions will be conducted by Samsung employee volunteers and scholars, who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise in teaching users how to get more out of Samsung’s latest innovations.
“Today’s launch is part of a series of initiatives by PNM and the country’s state libraries to widen public access to information, as well as encourage Malaysians to read,” said Nafisah.
“This new Samsung SMART Library in Perlis features the latest Samsung devices and technology that give users a new digital reading experience.
“It will inspire the general public, particularly younger Malaysians to read, and simultaneously sharpen their IT skills,” she added.
Lee said, “The Samsung SMART Library is a consolidation of productive learning and innovative technology.
“This powerful combination will help the nation to progress in its efforts to be a knowledge-based economy.
“We are proud to be working alongside PNM and PPANP in establishing a Samsung SMART Library here in Perlis.
“I encourage users to fully explore Samsung’s latest technological offerings and services, and in turn, to apply their new-found knowledge and ICT skills towards inspiring positive changes in their communities and Malaysia as a whole,” he concluded.
The Samsung SMART Library is part of the Samsung Global Corporate Citizenship efforts that employs Samsung technology and expertise for the betterment of local communities.
The Samsung SMART Library represents the company’s efforts in the area of education.
The flagship SMART Library at the National Library in Kuala Lumpur was unveiled in June 2014.
