Curtin Malaysia champions digital literacy among Miri school librarians

Miri, Sarawak – 10 June 2025 – In a digital era flooded with information, Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) is stepping up to ensure the next generation can navigate it wisely. Its Library recently hosted an interactive workshop titled ‘Information Literacy Skills & Basic Library Management’ for 59 student librarians and four teachers from SMK Merbau, equipping them with practical tools to thrive in today’s information-rich environment.

Led by Curtin Malaysia Reference Librarian Nora Hii Siaw Fong and Senior Librarian Sorina Ramli, the half-day programme offered a dynamic blend of theory and practice, focusing on two essential areas – Information Literacy Skills and Basic Library Management.

“Students today are exposed to more information than any generation before them, but also more misinformation,” said Hii. “Our goal was to give them the tools to critically assess, manage, and ethically use information – skills that are not only vital for academic success but are essential life skills in the digital age.”

One of the highlights was learning to apply the widely used Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose (CRAAP) test, a framework to assess the credibility of sources, from scholarly articles to social media content.

Meanwhile, Sorina, who leads Technical Services at the Curtin Malaysia Library, introduced the students to the inner workings of libraries. From understanding how books are classified using the Dewey Decimal System to learning how to create basic MARC records and metadata, the students gained real-world skills in managing information and maintaining library collections. They even got hands-on experience in book preservation techniques using Contract Paper.

“Libraries are more than just quiet spaces with books, they are gateways to organised knowledge,” said Sorina. “We wanted these young learners to walk away not just with know-how, but with a deeper appreciation of what libraries represent in a digital society.”

The workshop forms part of Curtin Malaysia Library’s wider outreach programme to support schools in the region. Since 2024, the Library has significantly expanded its offerings to include over 1.1 million eBooks, 236,000 e-journals, and 550 digital databases, reinforcing its role as a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning in northern Sarawak.

Christina Urai Dang, Head of the Curtin Malaysia Library, said such initiatives reflect the university’s commitment to building strong community partnerships and fostering future-ready students. “Workshops like these give students an edge, not just in school, but in how they engage with the world around them,” she said.

The participants from SMK Merbau left with not just new technical skills, but a renewed sense of the importance and evolving role of libraries in education and society.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Hii (4th from right) presents a souvenir to SMK Merbau’s representative, observed by Sorina (2nd left), Christina (3rd left), and others

SMK Merbau students participate in engaging group activities during the Information Literacy Skills & Basic Library Management Workshop