The future of Latvian books is related to the ability to adapt to the digital age / day

There is no doubt that printed books will keep their value forever, but e-books, audio books, interactive books, online magazines and other new forms of reading in the public are becoming more popular, Mieriņa emphasized.

Libraries need to be helped to become modern educational information sites so that they can develop new and more advanced forms of service, said the Speaker of the Saeima.

The head of the Parliament noted that libraries serve as support for local community cultural life and social activities in the regions.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first book printed in Latvian. In Mieriņa, this is an important turning point in the history of Latvia, because the language is the basic transparency of our people and the foundation of identity.

« The power of the written word is huge, it can both form and undermine. The word affects the values ​​and self -esteem of society, » the Speaker of the Saeima said.

Agita Zariņa-Stura (JV), Chairwoman of the Education, Culture and Science Commission, said, on the grounds of organizing the conference, that Parliament wants to focus more on reading as a personality strengthening and libraries as a society.

The conference takes place in three parts, and the first of them « Future Society – Read, So I am » dedicated to reading as a phenomenon. Participants talk about how reading habits in today’s digital age, why you need to read books, how to promote reading, develop reading and critical thinking and what to read better – audiobooks, digital books or printed text.

The theme of the second part is « School libraries – what are we waiting for and expect? ». It will discuss the situation in school libraries – whether it is a place in a school where only books can be issued, how schools can promote the development of children’s and young people’s writing and critical thinking and what the function and role of school libraries in the overall library network and the unified professional communication space.

The third thematic part of the conference « Library as a guarantee of success in society’s development in the digital age » is planned to be dedicated to libraries.

The conference is organized by the Saeima, the National Library of Latvia and the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with the « Grow » joint stock company « Swedbank » Education Fund.