HCM CITY (VNS)— Two Australian experts are training the staff of Vietnamese libraries in cultural heritage conservation towards ensuring the sustainability of these institutions.

The conservation training project is funded by the Australian International Cultural Council through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the National Gallery of Australia.

Paper conservator Fiona Kemp and Preventive Conservator Lisa Addison from the National Gallery of Australia are conducting the training for two weeks at the HCM City General Science Library.

Later, staff of provincial libraries in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Ha Tinh will also receive the training.

In addition to providing both theoretical and practical grounding to participants, the Australian experts also want to learn from Viet Nam about local materials, techniques for treatment and what it take to work effectively in a tropical environment.

Australian Consul General John McAnulty said libraries were vital institutions in every community in that they are repositories of knowledge and history and greatly facilitate learning among people from all walks of life.

As such, it is important to preserve library material and content of all forms, he said. — VNS