The legal/community libraries at village and neighborhood cultural centers used to be an "extended arm" bringing the law closer to the people. However, after many years, many of these libraries have fallen into a situation where few people read them; the content is outdated and has not been replaced or updated.
As access to information, especially legal information, becomes increasingly easy, fast, and diverse through smartphones, smart devices, and internet-connected computers, these traditional bookshelves are gradually disappearing.
The community library in Minh Tan 4 residential area, Yen Bai ward, is placed in the most visible location. Despite having a wide variety of books, no one has come to borrow them for a whole month. During each neighborhood meeting, the residents' association officials take the opportunity to wipe away the dust and rearrange the books neatly.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, head of Minh Tan 4 residential group, Yen Bai ward, said: "Our community library is very rich and diverse in books, even including titles that are not available on social media. In previous years, many people came to read. However, in recent years, with the increasing development of digital transformation , finding information about the law on Google or VNeID is very easy, convenient, and comprehensive, so almost no one comes to borrow law books anymore. Those who enjoy reading only read literature, or books on animal husbandry and ornamental plant cultivation."
Mr. Tran Van Tuan, from Minh Tan 4 residential group, Yen Bai ward, said: "Currently, all information, especially information that directly impacts people's lives such as: new penalties for traffic safety violations, the Marriage and Family Law, or the Land Law (amended)... are continuously updated on digital platforms. We only need to follow the information on those platforms, so we don't have to look for books to read like we did many years ago."
At the Dong Khe village cultural center in Van Chan commune, the bookshelves are heavily laden with dusty books that haven't been read for a long time. Whenever he's at the meeting hall, Mr. Tran Van Huong, the village Party branch secretary, takes the opportunity to arrange and clean each book.
Mr. Huong shared: "Now, digital transformation has reached even the villages, down to every household. Any information can be easily accessed on VNeID, Google, the National Public Service Portal, or simply by scanning a QR code on the Digital Village or Digital Library app. People no longer have to spend hours searching for books to read like before. As a result, bookshelves have become decorative items in the village hall."
Ms. Sa Thi Nao from Dong Khe village said: "Nowadays, if I need to find a legal regulation, I usually use my phone to look it up, or even ask the relevant officials at the commune directly because the legal system is constantly being amended and supplemented, so reading books in the village's libraries is not up-to-date."
In the context of rapidly developing information technology and the increasing integration of digital transformation into people's lives, the culture of reading is gradually fading. This has led to a situation where legal libraries/community libraries have been and are being "forgotten," failing to effectively promote, disseminate, and educate the public about the law.
Concerned about this issue, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, head of Minh Tan 4 residential group in Yen Bai ward, shared measures to develop reading culture in conjunction with innovating the activities of community libraries: "In the coming time, our residential group will continue to encourage residents to uphold the tradition of studiousness in our homeland, awaken, maintain, and promote reading culture in the community so that reading becomes a self-driven need. At the same time, we will supplement and update more books and increase the opening hours of the community cultural center to make it convenient for residents to come and read every day."
Not only in Minh Tan 4 residential area (Yen Bai ward) or Dong Khe village (Van Chan commune), but many residential areas in other localities throughout the province also have legal libraries/community libraries that are being "forgotten".
However, the benefits that libraries bring are undeniable. If localities are interested in investing and finding new directions, libraries will still be an effective channel for disseminating and educating the public about the law; bringing the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws to the people, so that everyone lives and works in accordance with the Constitution and the law; and building a peaceful and happy homeland.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/phat-huy-hieu-qua-tu-sach-phap-luat-can-co-giai-phap-moi-post911252.html
