By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — Libraries are alive and well in the digital era, even amid technological challenges like artificial intelligence (AI).
Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) director Mastura Muhamad said libraries play an important role beyond serving readers and organising activities to attract the public.
She said Selangor has 105 libraries now, compared with only 86 in 2008.
“Raja Tun Uda Library has received over nine million visitors since 2011, with 1.2 million members so far.
“Don’t ever say that AI is why libraries shutter when the latter are always relevant, are places for us to study in peace, are venues to hold meetings, are recreational centres, and are human development sites.
“Various facilities and interactive activities are available, including WiFi, for visitors’ comfort. God willing, libraries will bring joy and can drive the economy,” she said after the launch of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh: A Literary Masterpiece Exhibition & Movie Screening here yesterday.
On April 23, state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said books borrowed from PPAS libraries rose to a record 930,000 in 2023 from 738,818 the previous year.
He said the increase came after the borrowing limit for each reader was hiked to 20 books from 10, on March 1, 2023.
He added that the 2023 borrowing rate was the highest in PPAS’ 52 years in operation.
PPAS is also the organiser of the Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF), which started in 2022. SIBF is an offshoot of Selangor Book Fair, which was launched in 2006. PPAS also held the Children’s Book Fair for the first time last year.
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