Future of book publishing in Latvia depends on publishers' ability to adapt to digital age - Mierina

RIGA - The future of book publishing in Latvia depends on publishers' ability to adapt to the digital age, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) said at the opening of a conference on the importance of reading and the role of libraries in the development of an educated society at Saeima on Friday.

There is no doubt that printed books will exist forever, however, ebooks, audio books, interactive books, online magazines and other new forms of reading are becoming increasingly more popular, said Mierina.

Libraries must be helped to develop new and more up to date forms of services, said the Saeima speaker.

In the regions, libraries support cultural life and social activities of the local communities, Mierina pointed out.

This year marks 500 years since the first book was printed in Latvian. This is an important milestone in Latvia's history, as language is the core value and identity of a nation, said Mierina.

"The printed word has enormous power, it can both build and destroy," said Mierina.

The conference is divided into three parts. The first, entitled "Society of the Future - I Read, Therefore I Am", focuses on reading as a phenomenon. During the second part of the conference, "School Libraries - What Do We Expect?" discussed will be the situation in school libraries. The third part of the conference, "Library as a Guarantor of the Success of Social Development in the Digital Age", will focus on libraries.

The conference is organized by Saeima, Latvian National Library, and Latvian National Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with Swedbank education foundation Augt.