Warm Greetings from Malaysia

Edy Irwan bin Zulkafli, the 16th Director-General of the National Library of Malaysia

It is a great honour to serve as the 16th Director-General of the National Library of Malaysia (Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia).

I am deeply grateful for the trust that has been placed in me and embrace this responsibility with humility, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose.

Allow me to briefly introduce myself. I am Edy Irwan bin Zulkafli, from Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With over 24 years of experience in the library profession, I have witnessed the remarkable evolution of libraries from various perspectives. I am confident in our potential to further strengthen the roles of National Library of Malaysia (NLM) as the nation’s leading institution in library and information services.

In the coming decade, the library landscape is expected to undergo rapid transformation. Emerging digital technologies, shifting user behaviours, and the growing demands of a knowledge-driven society challenge us to remain relevant, adaptive, and innovative.

In response, I am pleased to share NLM’s renewed vision:

“To be the Leading Centre of Knowledge and Digital Information, Driving Lifelong Learning and Empowering a Knowledgeable Society in the Global Era.”

To realise this vision, my strategic direction is anchored on five key priorities:

  1. Advancing digital transformation;
  2. Positioning the library as a community hub for lifelong learning;
  3. Preserving and promoting national heritage and culture;
  4. Strengthening reading habits; and
  5. Building a dynamic and high-performing organisation.

I firmly believe that through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence, libraries will continue to serve as essential pillars of knowledge, inclusion, and societal progress. I look forward to engaging closely with the international library community especially through IFLA as we collectively advance a vibrant, impactful, and future-ready librarianship.

Thank you.

Edy Irwan bin Zulkafli
Director-General of the National Library of Malaysia