On October 20, the X International Congress "Library as a Cultural phenomenon", dedicated to the Year of Peace and Creation, continued its work in the main library of the country.
Meetings, round tables, excursions, exhibitions were held in the National Library for two days. The participants discussed vital problems of the library sphere related to the digitalization of the cultural sphere, raised issues of peace and creation through the unity of cultural space, international cooperation in the field of culture, science and art, priority areas of corporate cooperation of libraries, archives, museums, socio-cultural activities of libraries and modern effective practices in promoting books and reading.
The first day of the congress was interesting not only with the reports of the plenary session. Events dedicated to the discussion of key topics of librarianship were held at the library sites: the library as a creative space, electronic information resources and services in the modern library digital environment, digital transformation of library activities, innovative activities in libraries, etc.
On the second day, Director General of the National Library of Belarus Vadzim Hihin and Director of the National Library of Indonesia Muhammad Sharif Bando signed a memorandum of interest in cooperation in the library sector. The agreement will be signed in 2024.
Breakout sessions "Project initiatives and socio-cultural practices of cultural and educational institutions" and "Scientific and organizational support of library activities" were held. The speakers shared their views on the role of libraries in the organization of civic and patriotic education of children and youth, books and reading in the modern cultural space, told about implemented projects, outlined trends in the library sphere.
Summing up the results of the international congress, it is worth noting that the leading specialists of libraries, archives, museums, publishing houses, educational, research institutions and organizations from Belarus and countries near and far abroad presented about 80 reports in online, offline and video formats.
Their reports touched upon the most important aspects of the library sphere in the context of national identity and international cooperation of libraries, noted the role and place of libraries in the digital ecosystem, socio-cultural activities of libraries, modern trends in user service, the state and prospects of the relationship in the "book – reader – reading".
During the congress, an exhibition of publishing products, electronic information resources and services was held.
At the final meeting, the participants discussed the results of fruitful work on the exchange of experience, the search for new ideas and motivation in modern conditions. All speakers stressed that effective professional communication and close cooperation play an important role in achieving success. The congress resulted in the development of a resolution that recorded the decisions taken on the further development of the library industry, the implementation of the goals and objectives of state and international cultural policy.
We express our gratitude to the participants and co-organizers of the international congress"Library as a Cultural phenomenon" – the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus, the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS member States, the Belarusian Library Association.
The material was provided by the Public Relations Department.
