Report on CONSAL XIX in Malaysia
The 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XIX) was held from 16 to 19 June 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by the National Library of Malaysia in collaboration with the Librarians’ Association of Malaysia (PPM), the congress brought together over 1,000 librarians and information professionals from ASEAN and beyond.
Theme and Symbolism
The congress adopted the theme “Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering All”, with the tagline “Leveraging Inclusivity, Empowering Humanity.” The theme emphasized libraries’ critical role in promoting equitable access to information and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The official logo featured the hibiscus (Bunga Raya), Malaysia’s national flower, with petals shaped like book pages. The ten stigmas represented the ten ASEAN member states, symbolizing unity and the collective mission of libraries.
Program Highlights
The four-day congress featured a diverse and engaging program:
Two plenary sessions and 16 concurrent sessions, covering topics such as the evolving role of libraries, inclusivity for marginalized communities, libraries’ contributions to SDGs, and community engagement.
Presentation of 90 academic and professional papers, showcasing research and practice from ASEAN and international delegates.
A PechaKucha Postgraduate Forum, offering young professionals and emerging researchers a concise, visually-driven presentation platform.
PechaKucha is a unique format where a speaker presents 20 slides, with each slide displayed for precisely 20 seconds, resulting in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Slides advance automatically, encouraging presenters to stay focused, emphasize powerful imagery over text, and tell a compelling story that captures audience attention.
A pre-conference workshop on Artificial Intelligence, available to all participants.
Library and cultural visits to major institutions in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Negeri Sembilan.
Opening Ceremony and Prime Minister’s Remarks
The congress was officially opened by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who highlighted the evolving role of libraries as centers of learning and empowerment. He stated:
“A librarian’s role is not only to collect books and decorate them in glass cabinets. It is to turn the library into a vital resource to raise awareness and inspire readers.”
He further emphasized:
“Libraries must not only serve as book repositories or aesthetic spaces, but rather as dynamic centres of knowledge, culture and intellectual engagement.”
The Prime Minister also noted the importance of fostering meaningful reading habits in a digital age:
“The challenge today is to rekindle the reading culture — not just reading two lines on social media and jumping to conclusions.”
These remarks reinforced the notion that libraries should be living, thinking spaces that actively empower citizens and strengthen society.
Awards
Several prestigious awards were presented:
Young Librarian Award 2025: Dr. Mayasari Abdul Majid (Malaysia)
Outstanding Librarian Award 2025:
Gold: Chin Loy Jyoon (Malaysia)
Silver: Woro Titi Haryanti (Indonesia)
Bronze: Elvira Lapuz (Philippines)
Cambodia’s Participation
Cambodia maintained a strong presence at CONSAL XIX, building on its successful hosting of CONSAL XVIII (2022) in a fully virtual format.
A total of 11 Cambodian librarians attended the congress, actively contributing to discussions and professional exchange. Highlights of Cambodia’s involvement included:
Presentation of the Cambodia Country Report, showcasing national library achievements, ongoing challenges, and strategies for development.
Participation in Executive Board Meetings, contributing to regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Library and the CONSAL Document Repository.
Active engagement in networking and knowledge-sharing with colleagues from across ASEAN and partner countries.
Cambodia’s participation demonstrated its commitment to advancing librarianship and fostering regional collaboration.
Looking Ahead: CONSAL XX in Singapore (2028)
At the closing ceremony of CONSAL XIX, it was officially announced that the 20th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XX) will be held in Singapore in 2028.
This will be the fourth time Singapore hosts the Congress, following editions in 1970, 1983, and 2000. The event will be co-organized by the National Library Board of Singapore (NLB) and the Library Association of Singapore (LAS).
NLB Chief Executive Mr. Ng Cher Pong expressed the nation’s excitement:
“We are deeply honoured to accept the privilege of hosting the Congress from 2026 to 2028.”
He invited the regional library community to experience Singapore’s unique blend of heritage and innovation during CONSAL XX. The announcement reflects the enduring spirit of ASEAN collaboration and the continued commitment of libraries to adapt, innovate, and empower communities across the region.
