𝟮𝟵𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔 (𝗖𝗗𝗡𝗟𝗔𝗢)

CDNLAO is an annual meeting/conference of Directors of Asia and Oceania that aims to discuss library issues of common interest and to promote resource and information sharing within the Asia Pacific region. Specifically, the objectives include: 1) exchange of information and promote cooperation for the development of libraries in Asia and Oceania; 2) assist libraries in less developed countries through cooperation; 3) understand the state of the art of library development among libraries in Asia and Oceania.

The Conference is exclusive for directors and or representatives from member countries, and it is noteworthy to highlight that this year, there were 55 participants from the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

This year’s theme “𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬” with presentations on the following topics: collecting content representative of our communities (physical and digital); preserving and making the collections accessible; activating or engaging communities with the nation’s collection, allowed the participants to have an understanding on the different approaches and practices relative to the above stated topics. It was also an opportunity to understand each national library in the region of their structure, functions, programs, services and initiatives, and the chance for NLP to share what we do and our own initiatives. It was a fruitful conference that provides venue to strengthen existing partnerships and the development of new relationships for the enhancement of each country’s programs and services. NLP looks forward for more collaborative programs and potential projects in the future as a result of discussions with the directors and representatives. NLP’s support to the global works of the sector is evident on its attendance to every CDNLAO, in the interest of our library beneficiaries.