With its advantages, digitized storage has become popular. One of those is the digital library in Ho Chi Minh city that provides books and documents on studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style.

According to Saigon Giai Phong (Saigon Liberation) newspaper, many publishing houses and libraries have developed digital libraries, with the largest advantage being easy access to books with low prices. For example, it costs hundreds of millions of VND to transport a library with some 4,000-5,000 copies of books to a commune; however, with a computer connected to the Internet, readers can have access to a range of books. Moreover, the addition of books and maintaining of these libraries become much easier.

Recognizing the efficiency of digital libraries, the Ho Chi Minh city Party Committee has directed the city Department of Information and Communications to develop a digital library on studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style. Registered at thuviensach HOCHIMINH.tphcm.gov.vn, the digital library introduces and promotes Uncle Ho’s works and publications, as well as works and publications relating to studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style; reports and stories about Uncle Ho, praised followers of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style, and examples of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style printed in books.

This is the first time Ho Chi Minh city debuted a digital library in which readers can download free-of-charge the documents for reading and studying.

At present, the library provides over 118 works mainly coming from the Tre Publishing House, the Ho Chi Minh city General Publishing House and the Ho Chi Minh city and the Ho Chi Minh city Culture–Literature and Arts Publishing House. In addition, the library uses documents provided by the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

The site is divided into different areas, including a forum for readers to send their feedback to events and individuals.

The library has completed the digitization of the Ho Chi Minh’s set of books and expects to put it into operation in May.

Despite the good initial operation, the library is facing difficulties to promote its full efficiency. The documents coming from the 3 publishing houses are few compared to those of the publishing houses across the country. The expansion of documents is considered a main work of the library in the future.

According to Trinh Huu Anh, deputy head of a board under the city Department of Information and Communications, in the second phase, the library will focus on developing software allowing the access of the library from smart phones and tablet computers. In addition, the 3D model of the library will also be built to make it like a real library, helping it become more reader friendly./.

Compiled by BTA