KUALA LUMPUR: The one-stop digital platform u-Pustaka under the National Library of Malaysia is offering more than one million online reading materials for free to the public, in an effort to ensure accessibility to reading materials for all segments of society.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said through the initiative, the public can access various digital materials, including e-books, e-magazines, e-newspapers, audiobooks, e-learning resources, and e-journals, anytime and anywhere.
“To date, u-Pustaka has recorded 2,985,170 bibliographic entries and 1,014,356 digital collection titles, in addition to providing 22 digital databases for public use.
“Among the databases provided are Overdrive, Alkem Digital Library, Mason Crest, Emerald eBook, JGate, Lawnet, Odilo, and MyGuru, making u-Pustaka a comprehensive, inclusive, and easily accessible virtual knowledge hub for all Malaysians regardless of background,” he said, Bernama reported.
Aaron said the initiative not only expands access to reading materials but also strengthens national unity through the sharing of knowledge, values, and understanding among communities of various races, religions, and cultures.
Meanwhile, Aaron said the government’s efforts to instil a reading culture among the people continue to show encouraging results, as the Reading Profile Study recorded a significant rise in the reading rate among Malaysians.
“In 2005, the average citizen read only two books a year. Ten years later, the number jumped to 15 books, and in 2023, it increased again to 24 books per year.
“Of that number, an average of 16 books were read in physical form, while the remaining eight were read online,” he said.
Aaron said the latest study also shows that 88.6% of Malaysians are now active readers, a proud achievement that reflects the impact of the government’s ongoing policies and initiatives to strengthen the country’s knowledge ecosystem.
