In the blink of an eye, 2024 is in the countdown phase, and Books and the City has accompanied everyone through 38 issues. Not only Macao residents, but also overseas readers can access the library newsletter through the e-reading options on the Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau webpage, allowing them to learn about many of the latest happenings in Macao’s libraries and have a glimpse of the development of the publishing industry in Macao. The breaking down of borders through electronic reading and data resources accessible anytime and anywhere is indeed changing the distances in our global village, and this is something we truly feel.
This issue of the library newsletter focuses on this popular topic, starting with the four new e-reading resources added by the Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau this year. Readers can learn about how to enjoy a variety of reading experiences for free from the comfort of their homes. At the same time, several active users of electronic resources generously share their reading insights. Finally, Mr. Wu Jianzhong, University Librarian of the University of Macau Library, masterfully provides us with a summary that adds the perfect finishing touch. His interpretation of the development trends of electronic resources is very interesting, which can be described in internet terms as “full of valuable content”. We will leave it at that, so interested readers can dive into the details themselves!
The Library Handbook focuses on the theme of the restoration and preservation of rare books, showcasing a highly interactive lecture and a training course on this topic. Among them, the speaker of the lecture titled “The Affairs of Paper and Ink Through the Ages and a Reflection on the Past and Present — Discussing the Production and Survival of Literature”, Dr. Lin Ming, a national-level mentor in ancient text restoration techniques, provided readers with a wealth of hard knowledge on the restoration and preservation of literature. The protagonist of Author’s Say is Chen Junzhe, a 13-year-old student poet from Macao. Together with his family, he produced a poetry collection titled Little Fish Swims into the Moon, which is filled with the warm and delicate moments of life, representing a bold attempt in the children’s literature creation in Macao.
Finally, at this year-end season filled with back-to-back festivities, we send you our sincerest wishes. May all readers in the coming year dive into a sea of books with racing hearts and minds, uncovering the future between the lines!