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Kota Kinabalu: Nearly 100 library professionals from public universities across Malaysia attended the Library Leadership Seminar hosted by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

The seminar was organised by the UMS Library Department in conjunction with the Meeting of the Council of Chief Librarians of Public Universities (MKPUA).

Participants included chief librarians, directors, librarians and information professionals representing public universities nationwide. The programme featured speakers from the United States, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia, focusing on the evolving role of libraries in the digital and technological era.

UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Datuk Dr Rossita Shapawi, officiated the seminar and emphasised the need for libraries to continuously adapt and innovate.

She said libraries are no longer merely repositories of information but have evolved into dynamic centres that drive innovation, collaboration and knowledge development within academic communities.

“Libraries must continue to evolve by leveraging technology to remain relevant and impactful to the academic community,” she said.

According to Rossita, technologies such as artificial intelligence and smart systems are increasingly important in meeting the changing needs and expectations of users.

She added that the seminar provides an important platform to strengthen leadership among library professionals while exploring more relevant and high-impact approaches in information management and service delivery.

The seminar was held with the collaboration of OCLC Asia Pacific and support from the Sabah Convention Bureau.

Meanwhile, UMS Chief Librarian Zawawi Datuk Hj Tiyunin said the seminar reflected the university’s commitment to strengthening the role of libraries in research, innovation and knowledge dissemination. He said the UMS Library aspires to lead the transformation of information services in line with the university’s vision as “The Brain of Borneo”.

Among the key topics discussed during the seminar were research data management, research analytics, open access initiatives and the application of technology to improve service efficiency.