Penang Digital Library

About the city. The Penang government wants to turn George Town (Penang) into a model city by focusing on three main aspects – family, green and smart.

Goal

The aim of the project is to reengineer how information is curated and consumption in today’s digitally-driven world and to bring back the “human” aspect of social communication.

Implementation period. the first Penang Digital Library was initiated in 2015

Fact

The RM2.5 million project is located at the former Puspanita building on the grounds of the Penang Free School and this initiative is a PPP (Private Public Partnership).

Solutions

Inspired by a similar initiative developed by Keysight Technologies for the Penang Science Cafe, the Penang Digital Library is the next step in the evolution of libraries.

This initiative is a public-private partnership: the state government provides both an existing heritage building and funds along with funds and expertise from the private sector. Developers of the  Penang Digital Libraries emphasize that they are not abandoning old libraries, but exploring new ones using the latest technologies and inventions

Keysight technologies have played an important role in the development of the Penang digital library, from conceptualization to deployment.

Keysight is also responsible for developing the virtual infrastructure of the Penang Digital Library, including the development of the database that feeds the library, as well as numerous web and mobile applications that provide a structured and efficient flow of information to users.

To access all e-books, visitors must register as a library member. The annual fee is RM 60.00 for adults and RM 30.00 for students.

PDL-P2 was developed based on the concept of  “Library in the Park”, where visitors can access knowledge and information digitally in a natural environment.

Challenges

After the high level of response to the library, there was a need for expansion, as the existing 4,000-square-foot space could only accommodate 120 visitors at a time. PDL has been operating 24 hours a day since May 1, 2017, and to cope with the growing demand, an additional building known as PDL2 has been built.

Team

Penang State Government, Keysight Technologies, Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) and TIME.

Timeline

• November 2015 – Mooting the idea of a Penang Digital Library to Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng and Penang Exco Members.
• February 2016- The former Puspanita building along Jalan Masjid Negeri is identified as the site for the Penang Digital Library
• March 2016- Core working committee for the Penang Digital Library is formed comprising CMI, PDC, Keysight Technologies and E&O.
• April 2016- Renovation and refurbishment works begin.
• June 2016- First glimpse of the Penang Digital Library during a press conference by Chief Minister of Penang.
• August 2016- Site visit to the Penang Digital Library by Chief Minister of Penang and Penang Exco members.
• October 2016- Official launch of the Penang Digital Library by Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng.
• May 2017- Official Launching of 24/7 Penang Digital Library Operation
• January 2018- Launching of CMI-TELEBORT CSR Program @ Penang Digital Library (27 Jan 2018)
• January 2018- Launching of Penang Digital Library Phase 2 (27 Jan 2019)
• By January 2019, PDL had 3,848 members who have accessed 3,024 eBooks.
• The Penang Digital Library II received Gold in the Alteration & Addition category of the PAM Award 2019.
• According to The Malay Mail, the library draws between 1,800 and 2,000 users each month. More than 2,000 people have also registered for the library’s mobile app, “Readcasa”.

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