Library system in Malaysia is centralized and highly developed especially in the urban areas.
There are many types of libraries comprising of the National Library of Malaysia, State Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, Special Libraries, Community Libraries and School Libraries.
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 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:
The recent national achievement for the library profession in Malaysia is the hosting 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.
29 | 94.9 |
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Median Age | Population Densitypeople per sq km |
78.8% | 3.3% |
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Internet Users | Internet Gender Gap |
No Data Available | 3.4% |
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Poverty Rate 2011 PPP | Unemployment % of labor force |
No Data Available | 4.8% |
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Adult Literacy Rate % of people age 15+ | Education Spending % of GDP |
33.6% | 1.3% |
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ICT Skills: Transfering Files | Research Spending % of GDP |
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National Library Associations
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National Library
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Policy Making Institutions
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Library Support Organisations
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National Policy for Libraries
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Library Law
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Legal Deposit Law
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Copyright Law
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Library Exceptions & Limitations
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Professional Qualification Requirements
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Education
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Professional Publications
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Professional Events
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Total | National | Academic | Public | Community | School | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Libraries |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Libraries with Internet Access |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Full-Time Staff |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Volunteers |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Registered User |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Physical Visits |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Physical Loans |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Electronic Loans |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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 |
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 |
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 | - | - |
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 |
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 | - | - |
Librarians Association of Malaysia or better known as Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM) was established in 1955. PPM is registered under the Societies Act 1966 and is governed by the Librarians Association of Malaysia Constitution 1998. 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 2018, PPM has 2,382 registered members comprising of 7 Honorary Life Members, 56 Life Members, 1,560 Professional Members, 305 Student Members, 49 Institutional Members and 405 Affiliate Members
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.
The Ministry through the National Library of Malaysia is responsible for strengthening the arts, culture and heritage towards enhancing national unity as well as to develop knowledgeable skills, creative and innovative human capital.
There are no library support organisations in Malaysia.
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.
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.
The overall goal of the policy is to ensure a well planned National Reading Programme and to inculcate reading habits through lifelong learning.
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.
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 National Library Board (c) Establishment of National Library Fund.
According to this law, issued in 1996, 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.
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.
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.
There are four universities in Malaysia that provide LIS education:
The journal, available in a printed version, is published annually by the Librarians Association of Malaysia / Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM). The journal includes original articles on all aspects of libraries and information science and invites contribution from librarians, information scientists, educators, administrators, publishers and other interested persons. The publication is distributed free to all PPM's members.
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.
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 is held annually, usually in a month of March, and jointly organised by National Library of Malaysia and the Librarians Association of Malaysia. It is two 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 and Lightning Talks.
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.