CONSAL returns to its place of inception, Singapore, for its 20th edition
18 June 2025, Kuala Lumpur — Singapore will host the 20th Congress of Southeast Asian Libraries (CONSAL) General Conference and Meeting in 2028. Founded in 1970 in Singapore, CONSAL is the leading platform for collaboration among libraries and related organisations across the region. This will mark the fourth time Singapore hosts CONSAL, helmed by co-organisers the National Library and Archives Board (NLB) and the Library Association of Singapore (LAS).
The announcement was made at the closing ceremony of the 19th CONSAL General Conference and Meeting, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 16 to 19 June 2025. Themed “Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering AI” with the tagline “Leveraging Inclusivity, Empowering Humanity”, the 19th CONSAL focused on inclusivit and the provision of equal access and resources.
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “CONSAL has continually enabled Southeast Asian libraries to transcend national boundaries and work together to shape a future where libraries and archives remain vital pillars of knowledge and community in our digital age. We are deeply honoured to accept the privilege of hosting the Congress from 2026 to 2028, and excited to explore new opportunities to enhance reading, learning, and discovery with all our colleagues.”
LAS President, Ms Shameem Nilofar Maideen, said: “LAS has been CONSAL’s steadfast partner from day one. As we prepare to welcome our CONSAL family home, we reaffirm the collaborative spirit that makes our regional network a source of strength and inspiration. Together, we will continue building bridges of knowledge, understanding and professional excellence across Southeast Asia.”
CONSAL currently consists of ten countries, each scheduled to host the Congress in turn. As with previous editions, the 20th CONSAL in Singapore in 2028 will feature annual Executive Board meetings and a landmark conference attended by library professionals from the Southeast Asian region. This will contribute to CONSAL’s longstanding objectives of promoting libraries, information development and collaboration in the region, strengthening regional relationships, promoting professional development, fostering international cooperation, and providing a platform for knowledge exchange. Singapore previously hosted CONSAL in 2000, 1983, and 1970.
At the 19th CONSAL conference in Kuala Lumpur, representatives from NLB presented on the power of partnerships in transforming NLB’s libraries and enhancing accessibility. They also shared about the transformative impact of emerging technology, and how it could provide new opportunities to shape and augment the way people read, learn, and discover stories, information and knowledge.
-END-
About Library Association of Singapore
The Library Association of Singapore (LAS) is the national professional body representing library and information professionals in Singapore. Since its establishment in 1955 originally as the Malayan Library Group, LAS has championed the advancement of the profession, fostering a vibrant community that promotes excellence in librarianship and information services.
LAS supports members through initiatives that encourage professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing. These include training programmes, conferences, the Professional Development Scheme (PDS), and various publications such as the Singapore Libraries Bulletin and the Singapore Journal of Library and Information Management (SJLIM). Through innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, LAS plays a vital role in shaping the future of libraries in Singapore.
For more information, please visit the LAS website at https://las.org.sg and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/las.org.sg.
About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections in Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
For media queries, please contact:
Quah Jia Ling
Weber Shandwick
+65 9699 0830
JQuah@webershandwick.com
Claire Lee
Weber Shandwick
+65 8127 5715
Email: C_Lee@webershandwick.com