Singapore is set to take center stage in the regional library scene as it prepares to host the 20th Congress of Southeast Asian Libraries (CONSAL) General Conference and Meeting in 2028. This marks a meaningful homecoming for CONSAL, which was founded in Singapore back in 1970.
Co-organized by the National Library and Archives Board (NLB) and the Library Association of Singapore (LAS), the 2028 edition will be the fourth time the city-state plays host, following previous events in 1970, 1983, and 2000.
The exciting announcement came at the closing ceremony of the 19th CONSAL Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held from June 16 to 19, 2025. This year’s theme—“Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering AI”—spotlighted the importance of equitable access to information and the evolving role of technology in knowledge sharing across Southeast Asia.
The CONSAL organization, representing ten member countries, rotates the conference among its members, offering a unique platform for regional collaboration. The 2028 event in Singapore will again bring together library professionals, policymakers, and technologists, hosting high-level Executive Board meetings and a signature conference aimed at shaping the future of libraries in the digital age.
At the recent gathering in Kuala Lumpur, NLB representatives shared insights into how partnerships have fueled transformation in Singapore’s libraries. They highlighted how emerging technologies are not just modernizing access, but reimagining the very way people engage with reading, learning, and storytelling.
