GEORGE TOWN, 20 July 2026 – The Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut (PHS) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) proudly participated as one of the strategic partners of the Penang ASEAN Book Fair 2026, contributing a series of impactful programmes centred on knowledge sharing, research, innovation and community engagement throughout the four-day event held recently at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC).

PHS's participation reflects its continued commitment to strengthening its role as a centre of knowledge excellence, extending beyond providing access to information by serving as a platform for scholarly discourse, innovation and meaningful engagement with the wider community.

One of the main highlights was the ‘Naratif Pustaka’ Podcast Series, comprising five engaging sessions featuring academics, librarians and subject matter experts. The discussions explored a range of contemporary topics relevant to libraries and higher education, including From the USM Archives: A Return to Our Roots; Unfolding the Stories of Librarians: A Review of Memoir Pustakawan; PPM Northern Forum: Embracing Change, Shaping the Future; Open Science: From the Laboratory to Society; and Information Literacy & Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Role of Libraries in the Digital Era.

Visitors also had the opportunity to participate in a ‘Meet-and-Greet Session’ with the authors of ‘Memoir Pustakawan 2.0’, providing a valuable platform to engage directly with the authors, learn from their professional experiences and gain deeper insights into the librarianship profession.

As part of the fair's programme, PHS also collaborated with Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia Wilayah Utara (PPM Wilayah Utara) to organise the Bibliotherapy Programme: Exploring Self and Emotions. The programme introduced bibliotherapy as an approach that harnesses purposeful reading to support emotional well-being, enhance self-awareness and encourage personal growth, while highlighting the important role of libraries in fostering community well-being through knowledge and reading.

Throughout the event, the Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut Booth (B62) attracted visitors interested in learning more about the Library and its services, collections, publications, research support and various strategic initiatives. The fair also provided an excellent platform for PHS to strengthen strategic partnerships with institutions, agencies and professional communities, while promoting the library's role as a dynamic and inclusive centre for knowledge and learning.

By actively participating in the Penang ASEAN Book Fair 2026, PHS demonstrates USM's unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, promoting lifelong learning and extending the University's expertise beyond the campus. Through its diverse programmes and collaborative initiatives, PHS continues to champion intellectual engagement, preserve knowledge heritage, support academic innovation and contribute meaningfully to the community.