KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — The Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM) will work with the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) to strengthen professional recognition for librarians and provide clearer career pathways.
Its president, Hasnita Ibrahim, said formal recognition would not only safeguard the profession but also improve competency and create opportunities for career development and promotion.
“This long-term effort requires cooperation from relevant agencies, including the Public Service Department. We want librarians to continually update their skills and professional knowledge,” she told Bernama.
The initiative, she said, will involve PPM council members, standing committees and related groups, besides expanding cooperation with libraries, educational institutions, the book industry, vendors, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.
Hasnita, who is also senior digital library manager of the Malaysian National News Agency, said PPM would study professional recognition models used in other Asean countries and adapt them to Malaysia’s needs.
In support of the agenda, Hasnita said PPM will strengthen its continuing professional development programmes through training, workshops, seminars and certification, with priority areas including data analysis, digital metadata management, information security, ethics and artificial intelligence (AI).
She said librarians should be repositioned as reference experts, data verifiers and information navigators who help the public find reliable and authoritative sources amid the rapid growth of AI and online content.
The ‘Library Without Walls’ concept should also be expanded through wider access to digital services, while community digital literacy programmes should be intensified to help young people, women and senior citizens assess online information, understand cybersecurity and use smart devices productively, she said.
At the same time, she said PPM will continue working with the Department of Skills Development to expand Malaysian Skills Certificate courses for library assistants, hoping that the government will support digital capacity-building and formal recognition of librarians within the public service.
“PPM welcomes further strategic partnerships and industry sponsorships for literacy and technological innovation programmes that benefit society,” she said, adding that the agenda would definitely be further deliberated at the Malaysian Library Conference 2026 slated for Sept 22 to 24.
Hasnita, who has more than 30 years of professional experience, was elected PPM president for the 2026-2028 term on June 27, succeeding Dr Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil, who led the association for two terms from 2022 to 2026. — Bernama
