THE National Library of Malaysia’s (NLM) u-Library service enables users to borrow books from 12 consortium libraries across Malaysia.
The initiative is significant as it provides Malaysians access to reading materials, allowing visitors to access search collection catalogs from 155 libraries.
The service also provides 24/7 access to digital reading materials, NLM said in a media statement.
It offers more than 800,000 digital reading materials subscribed from 22 databases.
The materials consist of e-books, e-magazines, e-journals, e-newspapers, audiobooks and e-learning.
The system was developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2009 and completed in 2012.
Since then, it saw various improvement, including the integration of digital material database subscriptions in 2016.
Further enhancements include an FAQ chatbot and a more user-friendly membership registration with the help of the RFID system.
NLM said the system would be integrating artificial intelligence (AI), in its effort to redevelop the u-Library 2.0 system.
These future developments consist of an AI chatbot for direct assistance, an integrated search feature, combining both searches for physical and digital book materials simultaneously, and a single sign-on feature to assist users in signing in and accessing materials with convenience, it added.
To level up with current technology, u-Library will also offer the e-wallet payment method (DuitNow) for efficient, quick and cashless payments.
With more than 810,935 members and an average of around 100,000 active members each year, these initiatives help provide free services, and the ability to borrow physical and digital books with ease to the users, NLM further said.
Additionally, the u-Library’s initiative aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It supports Goal 4 (Quality Education) by allowing access to reading materials, resulting in lifelong learning, and Goal 9 (Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Innovation) with the development of digital infrastructure.
The sustainability of this initiative is achieved through constant awareness programmes with the help of media campaigns, workshops, training and outreach programmes in schools, higher education institutions, and communities, said NLM.
For better maintenance and support, u-Library has consistent system upgrades, a user support centre for assistance with technical issues, and a Disaster Recovery support system that is restored within 24 hours in the case of a disaster, it added.
