The agreement marks a pivotal moment for the publishing and cultural sectors, aiming to make the library’s resources more accessible to citizens across the Kingdom.
In a significant move towards modernising cultural access, Morocco’s (BNRM) is set to undergo a transformative digitisation initiative. This comes after a partnership agreement signed between the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication during the third edition of the Gitex Africa fair in Marrakech that ran 14-16 April.
The agreement marks a pivotal moment for the publishing and cultural sectors, aiming to make the library’s resources more accessible to citizens across the Kingdom.
Key Objectives
The partnership, signed by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Deputy Minister for Digital Transition and Administration Reform, and Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, outlines several ambitious goals:
Revamping the Institutional Portal: The BNRM’s online platform will be overhauled to enhance user experience and promote digital book offerings, as well as streamline the legal deposit service.
Digitisation of Historical Resources: Old periodicals, historical manuscripts, and donated book collections will be digitised, ensuring their preservation and accessibility for future generations.
Accessibility for Special Needs: A dedicated software program will be introduced to cater to individuals with special needs, making the library’s resources more inclusive.
Support for Student Researchers: Digitised collections will be made available to student researchers, (hopefully) fostering academic growth and innovation.
Expanding Cultural Access Across Morocco
Minister Bensaid highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative, emphasising the importance of bringing cultural activities closer to all citizens, particularly the youth. While the National Library is physically based in Rabat, digitisation will enable its services to reach communities throughout the Kingdom. This aligns with the government’s commitment to simplifying processes and expanding access to cultural and educational resources.
Implications for the Publishing Industry
For publishing professionals, this initiative represents a significant opportunity to engage with Morocco’s evolving digital landscape. The digitisation of historical manuscripts and periodicals not only preserves cultural heritage but also creates new avenues for collaboration between publishers, libraries, and researchers.
Additionally, the focus on digital book offerings and legal deposit services signals a shift towards a more integrated and accessible publishing ecosystem that publishers outside the country will be able to benefit from.
Read more over at Yabiladi.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
