Maldives National Library Enhances Public Access with Digital Platform

The National Library of Maldives has emphasised on their continuous efforts in expanding digital access to its collections and public services through its integrated library management system, Liberty, maintaining a broader initiative to modernise information infrastructure across the country.

According to a report published by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, the institution has progressively adopted automated catalogue management systems over the past two decades to improve administrative efficiency and public utility. The library first introduced automated cataloguing in 2000 using WINISIS software. It subsequently migrated its public catalogue to Fusion in 2003, before adopting the Liberty system in November 2007.

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The primary access portal for the public remains the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). Through this platform, users search for physical holdings using criteria such as title, author, publisher, subject, and publication details. The ministry further details that the system displays real-time item availability, allowing visitors to verify resources prior to travelling to the physical library. The portal also highlights newly acquired and frequently requested titles within the national repository.

The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage additionally notes that beyond standard search capabilities, the digital platform supports member services and academic research, the ministry reports. Registered patrons reserve materials remotely and receive automatic alerts regarding item due dates. Furthermore, the system provides direct links to external electronic research platforms, including Cambridge Journals and Oxford Academic, to assist higher education institutions and independent researchers. The platform additionally hosts essential administrative information, including public opening hours, service charges, and institutional updates.

By offering full accessibility via desktop computers and mobile devices, the ministry highlights that the system extends access to the library’s physical and digital holdings beyond its facility in Malé. Representatives from the National Library noted that the automated framework serves to streamline internal record-keeping while facilitating broader public access to educational and historical materials.