Asian libraries agree on resource share

Librarians from China and other Asian countries have agreed on strengthening collaboration and promoting resource sharing in the digital era. More than 80 chief librarians and representatives from Asian countries and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions signed the Declaration of Kunming at the Asian Library Curator Forum, which kicked off Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The curators proposed establishing a long-term cooperative relationship among libraries to share resources, enhance personnel exchange and boost the quality of library services. The declaration foresees a collaborative bibliography database and an international training center. "Libraries are an important channel for cultural exchange and communication because it is an open platform providing abundant information and cultural services," said Zhou Heping, director of the National Library of China. Zhou said the exchanges and development of Asian cultures are boosted by exchanges and cooperations among libraries. Ngian Lek Choh, deputy chief executive of the National Library Board of Singapore, said Singapore is cooperating with the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Suzhou in personnel exchanges and data sharing. "Since many libraries have great resources, the integration of their data has great significance to the development of all Asian libraries," he said.