For centuries, libraries have been regarded as founts of knowledge and history – repositories in which to preserve vital wisdom to pass down from generation to generation. Each, regardless of its nature – from the Vatican’s Secret Archives to the massive Library of Congress – was built to ensure that humankind’s progress would not be lost to the sands of time.

In this digital age, however, it’s easy for physical books and libraries to become afterthoughts. The ubiquity of e-books, PDFs and word documents – instantly downloadable via the internet – have diminished our need for them. Libraries must therefore find ways to adapt to changes brought about by our modern conveniences. If they don’t, they’ll no longer serve as storehouses for our knowledge and histories. Rather, they’ll become history themselves.

Samsung recognizes this need for modernization. In an age where a wealth of information on seemingly any topic can be obtained with a quick search of the worldwide web, libraries should be more than just places for people to leisurely read a novel or do some academic research.

Although there’s nothing wrong with silently studying by oneself at a local library, studying with a group can ultimately prove more productive, allowing one’s ideas to be constructively critiqued and their progress to be appraised. While an innovative thought or groundbreaking idea may certainly hatch in the mind of one person, honing such an idea with others’ informed input can go a long way toward improving and realizing it.

Since their respective launches, S.hub Ho Chi Minh and S.hub Hanoi have quickly become hubs for students, professionals and speakers to share their ideas and experiences.

Samsung’s S.hub initiative was born of this philosophy. For it, Samsung teamed up with the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library and the National Library of Vietnam in Hanoi, whose outdated buildings and equipment have hindered public attendance, to renovate the libraries’ facilities and outfit them with the latest tools and equipment.

S.hub Ho Chi Minh (left) and S.hub Hanoi, after their respective

The goal of the initiative is not only to update the facilities with modern tech like touchscreen monitors and personal tablets, but to also create spaces that can serve as scholarly hubs where people, especially students, may gather and nurture one another’s academic inclinations.

The first S.hub, installed in the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library, opened its doors in October of last year. S.hub Hanoi, meanwhile, which established a collaborative space for students and young professionals to gather in the Vietnamese capital, launched just a few weeks ago, on November 24.

These successful launches in Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic cities not only mark the triumph of the initiative, but also establish an effective blueprint to install additional S.hubs in cities across Vietnam – and perhaps other countries as well.

Activities during S.hub Ho Chi Minh’s one-year anniversary celebration included bookmark making, as well as a book auction, sale and exchange.

The S.hub, as the new space will be known within the National Library, comes equipped with Samsung devices such as PCs, tablets, TVs and LFDs, offering a balance between technological and social developments for adolescents. There is also an online sharing space – www.s-hub.vn – to interact and update information, along with a small auditorium that has a smart interactive whiteboard.

Following the success of Samsung’s Smart Library 1.0 project, which began in 2011 with the goal of renovating 50 school libraries across the region and provided more than 200,000 new books and 300 PCs, the Smart Library 2.0 initiative will continue this journey to create a modern space for exchanging knowledge.

Bui Xuan Duc, Director General of the National Library, believes that S.hub is an encouraging and enriching scheme, and says that the launch highlights “a strong commitment from the National Library and Samsung to a bright future for the younger generation in Vietnam.”

Kim Cheol Gi, Vice President of Samsung Electronics in Vietnam, echoed this sentiment: “S.hub is not only a place with advanced technology and devices, but also a modern, open space that brings young people together for many different activities. I hope S.hub will be a popular place for Ho Chi Minh City’s youngsters, and that it will benefit them greatly.”

National Library of Ho Chi Minh City:

The National Library of Ho Chi Minh City is a public library, whereby every community member can access the collections without charge. It also has access to ancient materials for the public to view. In 2014, the library served more than 1,533,000 readers.