Library News

In an era of rapid artificial intelligence (AI) development, does print reading still hold irreplaceable value? On the afternoon of May 22, 2025, the Macau Academic Library Alliance (MALA) successfully held a workshop titled “The Romance of Print Reading in the AI Era: Strategies and Success Stories for Reading Promotion in Macau’s Academic Libraries” at the University of Macau Library. The event brought together library professionals from the libraries of Macau higher education institutions to discuss how to sustain the value of print reading in the AI era.

Ms. Carmen Lei, Chair of MALA and Director of the Macao University of Tourism Library, stated in her opening remarks: “The Macau Academic Library Alliance (MALA) has long been committed to promoting cooperative resource acquisition, interlibrary loans, and service collaboration. This workshop provides an excellent platform to further strengthen communication and collaboration among MALA member libraries, collectively enhancing the service quality of Macau’s academic libraries.”

Prof. Helen Xu, University Librarian of the University of Macau Library, emphasized in her welcome address: “The University of Macau Library will continue to deepen its partnership with MALA member libraries and fully support the initiatives of the ‘MALA Reading Promotion Task Force.’ Through resource sharing and experience exchange, we believe we can further elevate the reading culture in Macau’s higher education institutions.”

The workshop featured presentations from representatives of three Macau academic libraries:

 Mr. Billy Leung, Assistant University Librarian of the University of Macau Library, shared insights on “Challenges and Opportunities for Library Reading Promotion in the AI Era,” discussing how creative activities can inspire readers to rediscover print reading.
 Ms. Shi Li Mei, Librarian of the City University of Macau Library, presented the “City Classics in the Sea of Books” case study, showcasing how to create distinctive reading experiences by integrating local culture.
 Ms. Zhang Xiaobing, Head of Public Services Section of the Macau University of Science and Technology Library, explored “Countering Algorithm Anxiety with the Warmth of Humanities” from a humanistic perspective, sharing a decade of experience and insights in reading promotion.

The workshop not only showcased innovative practices in reading promotion by Macau’s academic libraries but also laid the foundation for future cross-library collaborations, ensuring the preservation of the human warmth of reading in the AI era. Representatives from other academic libraries that attended the workshop also included the Macau Polytechnic University, the University of Saint Joseph, and Macau Millennium College.