ABOUT
Region: South-eastern Asia
Population: 31,187,265
Area: 330,800
GDP per capita, PPP: 27,683
(current international $)
Major Languages: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

Library Location Resources

No information available
LIBRARIES IN

Libraries in Malaysia

Library system in Malaysia is centralized and highly developed especially in the urban areas.

There are many types of libraries in Malaysia comprising of the National Library of Malaysia, State Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, Special Libraries, Community Libraries and School Libraries.

  • National Library of Malaysia operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. It is responsible for the overall development of libraries in Malaysia as well as facilitates nation-wide access to library resources available within the country and abroad.
  • State Public Libraries are managed by the State government and provide public library services to the community.
  • Public Academic Libraries are under Ministry of Higher Education, and they support research and educational activities in their respective organisations.
  • Government Special Libraries are under the National Library of Malaysia. The staff are seconded by the National Library of Malaysia.
  • Private Special Libraries are under the respective organisations/companies. The main function of special libraries is to support the objectives of their parent organisations. 
  • Community Libraries are under the National Library of Malaysia and the State Public Libraries. They provide library services to the communities. 
  • School Libraries are under the Ministry of Education; they support learning and teaching in schools. 

Government libraries are financed by the Central and State Government through an annual budget whereas Private libraries are financed by their respective organisations.

National Library of Malaysia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is responsible for the development of policy and legislation concerning libraries in Malaysia. Among others, one of the strategic development priorities in Malaysia is to provide rural library in every Parliamentary Constitution and to bridge the digital and information divide.

The main objectives of the Librarians Association of Malaysia are to:

  • To provide independent professional view and advice on all matters related to development of libraries and information centres and the profession.
  • To formulate legislation and work towards its adoption in the development of the libraries and the information profession and services.
  • To forge strategic alliances with national, regional, international organisations leading towards globalisation of library and information profession and services.

The major national achievement for the library profession in Malaysia was the successful hosting of the 84th International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions World Library and Information Congress (IFLA WLIC) in Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to 30th August 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. A total of 3,389 participants from 196 countries including 1,241 participants from Malaysia attended the Congress.

Another major achievement is that Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, was named the World Book Capital 2020 by the Director-General of UNESCO. The city was selected because of the strong focus on inclusive education, the development of a knowledge-based society and accessible reading for all parts of the city’s population.

The Librarians Association of Malaysia collaborates with the National Library of Malaysia and Sarawak State Library as contributors to the IFLA Library Map of the World by providing and updating library data, country profile and SDG stories. Malaysia’s first SDG story about the “Reading Seeds” programme was published on the Map in February 2022. Librarians Association of Malaysia also raises awareness about the Library Map of the World and its use within the national library field through various programmes.

The Librarians Association of Malaysia Code of Ethics was revised in 2022. The purpose of drawing up a code of ethics for the librarians is to help set standards of professional conduct expected of members in line with the aims and objectives of the Association.



SDG STORIES: Stories Available
PERFORMANCE METRICS

SELECT METRIC VIEW

Totals Per 1M People*

Number of Libraries

Total Libraries with Internet Access

Total Staff

Volunteers

Registered Users

Total Visits

Total Physical Loans

Total Electronic Loans
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Population and Geography
29 94.9
Median Age Population Density
people per sq km
Information and Infrastructure
78.8% 3.3%
Internet UsersInternet Gender Gap
Poverty and Employment
No Data Available 3.4%
Poverty Rate
2011 PPP
Unemployment
% of labor force
Education and Literacy
No Data Available 4.8%
Adult Literacy Rate
% of people age 15+
Education Spending
% of GDP
Innovation and Skills
33.6% 1.3%
ICT Skills:
Transfering Files
Research Spending
% of GDP
Organisations
National Library Associations
National Library
Policy Making Institutions
Library Support Organisations
Policy & Legislation
National Policy for Libraries
Library Law
Legal Deposit Law
Copyright Law
Library Exceptions & Limitations
Education & Events
Professional Qualification Requirements
Education
Professional Publications
Professional Events
PERFORMANCE METRICS
Learn more about the performance metrics
SELECT METRIC VIEW
Totals Per 1 M People
LEGEND
N/A' Not Applicable '-' No Data '0' Zero
Total National Academic Public Community School Other

Total Libraries

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Libraries with Internet Access

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Full-Time Staff

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Volunteers

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-
-
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Registered User

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-
-
-
-
-
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Physical Visits

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-
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-
-
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Physical Loans

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Electronic Loans

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CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Learn more about the contextual indicators
LEGEND
N/A' Not Applicable '-' No Data '0' Zero
Population Malaysia Region World
Population Density
people per sq km
94.9
2016
94.3
2016
57.4
2016
Urban Population (World Bank) 75.4%
2016
57.5%
2016
54.3%
2016
Median Age (CIA) 29
2017
-
30
2017
Age Dependency Ratio, Youth (World Bank)
% of working age people
35%
2017
28.4%
2017
39.7%
2017
Age Dependency Ratio, Elderly (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of working age people
9.1%
2017
15%
2017
13.3%
2017
Information Infrastructure Malaysia Region World
Internet Users (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of population
78.8%
2016
-
-
Broadband Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database)
in USD
$9.7
2016
$20.5
2016
$20.1
2016
Phone Subscription Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database)
in USD
$5.8
2016
$7.3
2016
$9.5
2016
Internet Gender Gap (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of Men Internet Users - % of Women Internet Users
3.3%
2016
-
11.6%
2017
Access to Electricity (World Bank)
100%
2016
96.9%
2016
87.4%
2016
Economy, Poverty, and Employment Malaysia Region World
GDP per Capita (World Bank)
current international $
27,683
2016
17,021
2016
16,215
2016
Poverty Rate (World Bank)
at $1.90 a Day, 2011 PPP
-
3.6%
2013
10.9%
2013
Inequality Index
0 is perfect equality, 100 is the complete inequality
-
-
-
Unemployment (World Bank)
% of labor force
3.4%
2016
3.8%
2014
5.9%
2014
Inactive Youth (World Bank)
% of youth
11.7%
2016
-
-
Education and Literacy Malaysia Region World
Students per Teacher (World Bank)
Ratio
12
2016
17
2016
24
2016
Adult Literacy Rate (World Bank)
% of people age 15+
-
95.7%
2016
86.2%
2016
Education Spending (World Bank)
% of GDP
4.8%
2016
4.7%
2014
4.9%
2014
Innovation and Skills Malaysia Region World
Research Spending (World Bank)
% of GDP
1.3%
2015
2.5%
2015
2.2%
2015
ICT Skills: Programming (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
2.3%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Creating Presentations (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
12.5%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Finding, Downloading, Installing Software (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
28.1%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Transferring Files (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
33.6%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Sending Emails (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
38%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Using Copy/Paste (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
52.9%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Connect/Install Devices (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
20.7%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Using Math in Spreadsheets (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
17.3%
2015
-
-
Organisations

National Library Associations

Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM) / Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM)

Librarians Association of Malaysia or better known as Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM) was established in 1955.  PPM is registered under the Societies Act 1966 (Act 335) and is governed by the Librarians Association of Malaysia Constitution (Amendment) 1998 (Incorporating all amendments up to 25th December 2020). PPM is the only professional body for the library and information services in Malaysia and is an institutional member of IFLA since 1968. PPM have greatly contributed to the development of libraries in Malaysia. As at 2022, PPM has 2,705 registered members comprising of 10 Honorary Life Members, 56 Life Members, 1,735 Professional Members, 4 Corresponding Members, 345 Student Members, 148 Institutional Members, 202 Allied Members and 126 Affiliate Members.

National Library

National Library of Malaysia (NLM) / Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (PNM)

The role of the national library is to make the national collection of library resources available for use to present and future generations, to facilitate nation wide access to library resources available within the country and abroad as well as to provide leadership pertaining to libraries in Malaysia.

Policy Making Institutions

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) / Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia (MOTAC)

MOTAC is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for tourism, culture, archives, library, museum, heritage, arts, theatre, handicraft, visual arts, convention, exhibitions, Islamic tourism, and craft.

Library Support Organisations

Oral History Association of Malaysia / Persatuan Sejarah Lisan Malaysia

Persatuan Sejarah Lisan Malaysia or the Oral History Association of Malaysia was established in 2013. The objectives of the association are to:

  • Act as the basis of a collaborative network with other agencies to conduct oral history studies in Malaysia.
  • Organise courses on how to conduct oral history research.
  • Promote the documentation of oral history in Malaysia.
  • Develop a code of practice for oral history.
  • Create a database of oral history experts and studies that have been and are being conducted.
  • Promote the awareness and importance of oral history.

The members of the association are historians, lecturers, librarians, university students and those who are interested in oral history. To date, the association has organised various workshops, conferences, and webinars.

Policy & Legislation

National Policy for Libraries

National Policy on Library and Information Services 1994 / Dasar Negara Bagi Perpustakaan dan Perkhidmatan Maklumat 1994

The National Policy on Library and Information Services 1994 sets out broad guidelines for the systematic and planned development of libraries and information services in keeping with the needs of major sectoral areas as well as the needs of all sections of the communities whether in the urban or rural areas.  The scope of the policy is to cover the acquisition, organisation, management and dissemination of library materials and the information contained therein.

Policy on Malaysiana / Dasar Malaysiana

The aim of the policy is to ensure tracing, acquisition, documentation and preservation of Malaysiana Collection as a national intellectual heritage of Malaysia. It also aims to provide a Centre of Excellence for Malaysiana Collection in research, information services and publications pertaining to Malaysia.

National Library of Malaysia Policy on Reading Promotion 2013 / Dasar Galakkan Membaca Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia 2013

The overall goal of the policy is to ensure a well planned National Reading Programme and to inculcate reading habits through lifelong learning.

National Library of Malaysia Policy on Malay Manuscripts 2014 / Dasar Manuskrip Melayu Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia 2014

The aim of the policy is to collect, document and conserve the Malay manuscripts as the national heritage and to provide a national information centre for research services and to publish publications pertaining to Malay Manuscripts.

Library Law

National Library Act 1972 (Act 80) (incorporating all amendments up to 1st January 2006) / Akta Perpustakaan Negara 1972 (Akta 80) ( Mengandungi segala pindaan hingga 1 Januari 2006)

The Law, issued in 1972, covers all libraries and related organisations in Malaysia. It includes (a) Establishment and Management of National Library (b) Establishment of Advisory Board (c) Establishment of National Library  Fund and (d) Miscellaneous.

Legal Deposit Law

Deposit of Library Materials Act 1986 (Act 331) / Akta Penyerahan Bahan Perpustakaan 1986 (Akta 331)

According to this law, issued in 1986, the published (libraries, organisations, individual, agencies) of every printed and non-printed materials published in Malaysia must submit 5 printed copies and 2 copies of non-printed materials to the National Library as a national heritage. The deposted materials are preserved  and documented in the online  Malaysian National Bibliography. Researchers can have access to the deposited materials on site through a formal request to the National Library.

Copyright Law & Library Exceptions and Limitations

Copyright Act 1987 (Act 332) / Akta Hakcipta 1987 (Akta 332)
Exceptions and limitations for libraries

Under the provision of the Copyright Act , Part II(General Provisions) , Section 9. Copyright in Published Edition of Works, Sub Section (5) :  The Government, the National Archives, or any State Archives, the National Library, or any State library, or any public libraries and educational, scientific or professional institutions as the Minister may by order prescribe, may reproduce the typographical arrangement of a published edition without infringing the copyright subsisting by virtue of this section if such reproduction is in the public interest and is compatible with fair dealing and the provisions of any regulations.

Education & Events

Professional Qualification Requirements

Public Services Commission of Malaysia requires formal professional qualification for librarian position as follows:  1) Bachelor of Library  and Information Studies, 2) Masters in Library  and Information Studies.

Education

There are four universities in Malaysia that provide LIS educatio:

  • Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) : Bachelor, Masters and PhD in Information Science and Library  Management
  • Univeristi Malaya (UM): Masters and PhD in Library and Information Science
  • Univeristi Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (IIUM) : Masters and PhD in Library and Information Science
  • Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia  (USIM) : Bachelor, Masters and PhD in Library and Information Science

Professional Publications

Journal of Malaysian Librarians / Jurnal PPM

Jurnal PPM is published  annually by the Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (Librarians Association of Malaysia). The journal publishes original articles on all aspects of library and information science and invites contributions from librarians, information scientists, educators, administrators, publishers, and other interested persons. It is published and distributed free to all its members and cal also be acces online full text.

PPM Newsletter / Berita PPM

PPM Newsletter is published online by the Librarians Association of Malaysia / Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM) and it covers current news on PPM's activities/programme and related library news of other libraries and organisations.

The Journal of Academic Library Management (AcLiM) / Jurnal Pengurusan Perpustakaan Akademik

The Journal of Academic Library Management (AcLiM) is an open-access  journal published bi-annually by Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, UiTM Shah Alam (Universiti Teknologi MARA Library). The publishers invite librarians, educators, academicians, teachers, researchers, postgraduate students, and policymakers to participate in AcLiM. The journal welcomes submissions of significant findings to innovative practices, expertise and management in academic library.

Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science

The Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science (ISSN: 1394-6234)  is published three times a year in April, August and December by the Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. The journal publishes original research articles in the field of library and information science (LIS) as well as related domains that encapsulate information and knowledge. It also encourages contribution about professional policies, practices, principles and progress in the LIS fields. The journal aims to provide a forum for communications amongst LIS professionals especially within the Asia Pacific region, to introduce new concepts, methodologies, systems and technology. It was first published in 1996 and from 1996 to 2008, the journal was published both in print and electronic. From 2009, only the electronic version has been made available. The journal is indexed and abstracted by Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science (Q3), Elsevier's Scopus (Q2) and Malaysia’s MyJurnal.

Sekitar Perpustakaan

Sekitar Perpustakaan is a journal published bi-annually by the National Library of Malaysia. The main objective of this journal is to fulfil the needs of professionalism of the librarians. The journal is also to encourage the exchange of ideas and information as well as experiences among the librarians. The articles are written either in the Malay language or English language. Article written in the Malay Language are accompanied by an abstract in the English Language. The authors, solely responsible for the opinions expressed in their papers, are librarians from the National Library of Malaysia and other institutions in Malaysia. Any forms of reproduction are prohibited except with the prior written permission from the Director-General of National Library of Malaysia.

Professional Events

Librarians Day Malaysia

It is celebrated on the 6th June each year by libraries  and librarians in Malaysia. The objective  of celebrating Librarian Day is to give recognition to the library profession and its contribution  to the library development in Malaysia.

Annual Conference of Libraries in Malaysia

Annual Conference of Libraries in Malaysia is held annually, usually in the month of May, and jointly organised by National Library of Malaysia and the Librarians Association of Malaysia. It is a three-day Conference and is open to all librarians in Malaysia. Among the objectives of the conference are as a platform for discussion pertaining to reading habits among Malaysia and to enhance the role of the library to achieve the National Reading Decade 2030. The conference comprises of Keynote Address, Plenary Sessions, Workshops and Lightning Talks.

Conference of Universities and National Library of Malaysia (PERPUN)

Conference of Universities and National Library of Malaysia  (PERPUN) is held twice a year  and the chairman is the  Director General of the National Library of Malaysia. The members of  PERPUN consists of  Chief Librarians from  20  government public universities, 5 government link company universities and the National Library. The objectives of PERPUN is to discuss various issues of common interest and also to establish electronic library network between university libraries, current information services, subscription of databases and publications document delivery services. 

International Conference on Libraries (ICOL) (Universiti Sains Malaysia)

International Conference on Libraries (ICOL) is a once-every-two-years opportunity that provides platform for participants and presenters to access the best information, discover new ideas and network with people in the profession.  The objectives is providing a platform for information sharing, expertise, experience and professionalism through paper presentations and research finding; fostering the strategic networks, promote cooperation and exchange of experiences in the field of librarianship.

International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society (ICoLIS) (Universiti Malaya)

The aim of the International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society (ICoLIS) is to bring together the Library & Information Science (LIS) professionals to exchange and share new ideas, experiences, and research. The main objectives are: to provide opportunities for sharing and discussion of the current status, innovations, trends, research, directions, solutions, issues and challenges adopted in the fields of LIS; to explore ways and reality-based scenarios in developing new models in library and information services; and to examine issues related to consolidating technology, information resources, knowledge and skills into strategic competencies in order to strengthen the role of libraries and information in servicing the community.