Foreign organizations and individuals may be encouraged to establish and operate libraries in Vietnam, according to a draft Law on Library discussed on March 13, VnEconomy reported.

Readers visit the cultural library for Vietnamese children, which is located in the National Library of Vietnam in Hanoi. Foreigners may build and operate libraries in Vietnam in the coming period

The draft law adds new regulations on private libraries, including libraries developed by foreigners, private social, occupational, economic, religious organizations and private educational institutions.

The draft law once approved will encourage private capital investment in the operation of libraries, which is expected to increase the number of libraries and enhance their quality of service, synchronize the connection among libraries and enable local people to access information easily and increase the number of readers in the country.

The draft law was under discussion at the 32nd session of the 14th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee, which took place from March 11 to 13.

NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien said that little emphasis has been placed on the operations and management of local libraries over the years.

Numerous old books from libraries were sold for scrap. Among them, many precious books were resold at extremely high prices, at even millions of Vietnam dong. A huge amount of State assets was wasted, resulting in a loss for the country’s precious knowledge resources, the vice chairman said.

According to a report from the Government, many prevailing regulations of the Law on Library are inadequate. No legal frameworks have been issued for foreign organizations and individuals who were expected to build libraries to serve the expats living and working in Vietnam, as well as local residents.

Also, the Law does not regulate specific rights and interests for organizations and individuals to invest in local libraries and as a result, little private capital has been poured into the development of local libraries.

SGT