ID :
181348
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 09:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/181348
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RESTORING AND PRESERVING NEWSPAPERS DIGITALLY VIA IFLA
By Sakini Mohd Said
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Time has never affected the value of a newspaper. News can be old and 'moldy' in the media world, but there will always be someone who finds it useful.
Newspaper content can be a handy source of reference for just about anyone, so there is a need to preserve it carefully.
The National Library has been responsible for the storage and care of every newspaper issue since 1986. It has collected, documented and preserved 547,803 newspapers covering 94 titles in various languages.
It stores the papers in its original format, as well as in microfilm. But today, it believes that preservation and restoration of news materials also need to be done digitally.
Indeed, advancements in technology have changed the way in which people read the news. More and more people are going online for news updates so the National Library has to think of suitable ways to digitize news.
To keep abreast with new trends, the organization hosted the 2011
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (Ifla) International Newspaper Conference.
The three-day conference, which began on April 25, discussed best practices for the preservation and restoration of newspapers using digital technology.
IFLA CONFERENCE
Under the theme "Newspaper in Multiple Scripts and Multiple Languages:Issues and Challenges for National Heritage", the conference drew a large gathering of librarians, information managers and media practitioners from Malaysia and various countries.
The annual event offers a medium for IFLA countries to generate ideas andshare information and experiences on the latest issues pertaining to global newspapers.
"IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of libraries and information service providers, as well as their users across the world in 150 countries, including Malaysia. To date, we have 1,600 members," said Malaysian National Library Director General Datuk Raslin Abu Bakar.
"This year, Malaysia was given the honour of hosting the IFLA based on the National Library’s role as the Centre for the Preservation of National Publications."
Raslin said that IFLA member countries jointly decided on the theme, which was deemed appropriate to properly reflect Malaysia’s vast collection of newspapers and manuscripts in various languages that are kept in pristine condition by the National Library.
Interestingly, Malaysia’s practice of preserving newspapers in various languages is rarely seen or heard of in other countries, thus upgrading its image on the global front as a country with multi-racial press freedom.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Clearly, preserving and restoring newspapers via microfilm is no longer economical. In addition, the contents are also difficult for global users to access.
In fact, more and more library users are demanding digital information searches.
Therefore the conference is seen as the best platform to share information on the restoration and preservation of newspapers through digital technology as practiced in developed countries.
Apart from this issue, the relevance of newspapers in information searches was also discussed.
This is due to the emergence of new media, which has led to the popularity of online newspapers. It is seen as a challenge to the print media.
"At the National Library, newspapers in the original format (not online) are still the first source of reference for researchers. This is because not all the stories on a newspaper are uploaded online. But with the advent of new media, we wonder if newspapers will continue to be relevant," he said.
Among the more interesting topics of discussion was the necessity of charging for information accessed through a library.
"We wanted to get the opinions and views of participants on the viability of charging for online newspapers when its contents have become part of the library's archive.
"We also discussed methods to identify the original owners of news content online. This is because copyrighted content of a media organization could be picked up by another individual and posted on his or her website. This issue did not arise with print media," he noted.
BENEFITS OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference helped the National Library to adopt digital technology in its processes of restoration and preservation. It also aided in fostering cooperation and smart partnerships among participating countries through communication, culture and heritage through information-sharing.
Moreover, it complements Malaysia’s effort to lobby and bid for sponsorship for the World Library and Information Congress: IFLA General Conference and Council in 2013.
A total of 141 participants, including 11 from overseas, attended the conference, which was inaugurated by Information Communication and Culture Deputy Minister Senator Maglin Dennis D'Cruz.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Time has never affected the value of a newspaper. News can be old and 'moldy' in the media world, but there will always be someone who finds it useful.
Newspaper content can be a handy source of reference for just about anyone, so there is a need to preserve it carefully.
The National Library has been responsible for the storage and care of every newspaper issue since 1986. It has collected, documented and preserved 547,803 newspapers covering 94 titles in various languages.
It stores the papers in its original format, as well as in microfilm. But today, it believes that preservation and restoration of news materials also need to be done digitally.
Indeed, advancements in technology have changed the way in which people read the news. More and more people are going online for news updates so the National Library has to think of suitable ways to digitize news.
To keep abreast with new trends, the organization hosted the 2011
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (Ifla) International Newspaper Conference.
The three-day conference, which began on April 25, discussed best practices for the preservation and restoration of newspapers using digital technology.
IFLA CONFERENCE
Under the theme "Newspaper in Multiple Scripts and Multiple Languages:Issues and Challenges for National Heritage", the conference drew a large gathering of librarians, information managers and media practitioners from Malaysia and various countries.
The annual event offers a medium for IFLA countries to generate ideas andshare information and experiences on the latest issues pertaining to global newspapers.
"IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of libraries and information service providers, as well as their users across the world in 150 countries, including Malaysia. To date, we have 1,600 members," said Malaysian National Library Director General Datuk Raslin Abu Bakar.
"This year, Malaysia was given the honour of hosting the IFLA based on the National Library’s role as the Centre for the Preservation of National Publications."
Raslin said that IFLA member countries jointly decided on the theme, which was deemed appropriate to properly reflect Malaysia’s vast collection of newspapers and manuscripts in various languages that are kept in pristine condition by the National Library.
Interestingly, Malaysia’s practice of preserving newspapers in various languages is rarely seen or heard of in other countries, thus upgrading its image on the global front as a country with multi-racial press freedom.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Clearly, preserving and restoring newspapers via microfilm is no longer economical. In addition, the contents are also difficult for global users to access.
In fact, more and more library users are demanding digital information searches.
Therefore the conference is seen as the best platform to share information on the restoration and preservation of newspapers through digital technology as practiced in developed countries.
Apart from this issue, the relevance of newspapers in information searches was also discussed.
This is due to the emergence of new media, which has led to the popularity of online newspapers. It is seen as a challenge to the print media.
"At the National Library, newspapers in the original format (not online) are still the first source of reference for researchers. This is because not all the stories on a newspaper are uploaded online. But with the advent of new media, we wonder if newspapers will continue to be relevant," he said.
Among the more interesting topics of discussion was the necessity of charging for information accessed through a library.
"We wanted to get the opinions and views of participants on the viability of charging for online newspapers when its contents have become part of the library's archive.
"We also discussed methods to identify the original owners of news content online. This is because copyrighted content of a media organization could be picked up by another individual and posted on his or her website. This issue did not arise with print media," he noted.
BENEFITS OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference helped the National Library to adopt digital technology in its processes of restoration and preservation. It also aided in fostering cooperation and smart partnerships among participating countries through communication, culture and heritage through information-sharing.
Moreover, it complements Malaysia’s effort to lobby and bid for sponsorship for the World Library and Information Congress: IFLA General Conference and Council in 2013.
A total of 141 participants, including 11 from overseas, attended the conference, which was inaugurated by Information Communication and Culture Deputy Minister Senator Maglin Dennis D'Cruz.
