Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, SAINS develop digital repository system

On September 24, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) unveiled the Legal Deposit Management System (LDMS). This digital tool aims to streamline the handling, recording, and documentation of digital publications. State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sebastian Ting emphasized the relevance of this development, given the rapid advancements in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) that are transforming the publishing sector.

Ting highlighted the need to leverage these technological changes to improve efficiency in knowledge dissemination while maintaining content quality, copyright, and authenticity. He also stressed the importance of preserving, protecting, and making Sarawak's publications accessible for future generations. As of August 2026, the LDMS had already collected 13,320 titles, totaling 53,200 copies of published materials, in line with the Sarawak State Library Ordinance 1999.

The system also aims to ensure that publications originating from Sarawak are collected, preserved, and documented, making them available for reference. Ting called on writers and publishers to continue depositing three copies of their works with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, as mandated by the Legal Deposit of Published Materials Ordinance.

He also highlighted the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to produce high-quality, relevant, and impactful works, aligning with the emphasis on reading as a culture and lifelong habit. The seminar also honored the Special Legal Deposit Award recipients, including the Sarawak Tourism Board, the Board of Christian Literature, SMK Tun Abdul Razak, and the late Yu Chin Liik.