From August 12 to 15, 2025, the Taiwan Medical Library Association (TMLA) hosted delegations from the Japan Medical Library Association (JMLA) and the Medical Library Group of Malaysia (MLG) for a four-day program of professional visits and exchanges. This occasion marked not only JMLA’s first visit to Taiwan since forming a sister-association relationship with TMLA in December 2024, but also the third exchange between TMLA and MLG since their partnership was established in 2023, underscoring its profound significance.
The JMLA delegation was composed of President Yasuhiro Komatsu, Executive Director Tadashi Kodama, and Director Kuniko Sato. Beginning on August 12, they visited the National Taiwan University Medical Library, the Medical Humanities Museum, Beitou Library, NTU Children’s Hospital, and Mackay Children’s Hospital. On August 14, they attended the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference held at the National Chung Hsing University Library. At the opening ceremony, Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil, President of the Malaysian Librarians Association (PPM), conveyed his congratulations via video, wishing the conference every success.
That same day at 1:00 p.m., a special international exchange session was held, focusing on the interaction between library associations and university or institutional administrations, as well as on whether associations provide training programs for newly appointed medical library directors. This theme also reflected the diverse practices of leadership appointments across different countries, highlighting the importance of professional support and capacity-building initiatives.
Subsequently, Executive Director Tadashi Kodama delivered a presentation titled “An Introduction to the Japan Medical Library Association (JMLA)” and extended a warm invitation to TMLA to participate in JMLA’s centennial conference in 2027. In the same session, Zanaria Saupi Udin of MLG presented online on “Enhancing Competencies in Medical Librarianship”, sharing strategies for professional capacity building in Malaysian medical libraries.
Due to typhoon-related delays, the MLG delegation arrived in Taiwan on the evening of August 14 and officially began their visit on August 15, which included the National Library of Public Information and the National Chung Hsing University Library. That afternoon, MLG members delivered scholarly presentations: Akiza Roswati Abdullah discussed “The Liaison Librarian’s Role as a Transformative Agent in Driving Medical Faculties Toward Greater Dynamism”, exploring the impact of liaison librarians in medical schools; while MLG Chairman Norazlina Abdul Rahman presented “Use and Management of Subscribed Medical Databases in Malaysia Medical Libraries: A National Survey Towards Best Practice Guidelines”, sharing the outcomes of a nationwide study on medical database usage in Malaysia.
This exchange deepened the professional cooperation and friendship between TMLA and its sister associations. Through visits, presentations, and discussions, it showcased the joint commitment of the international medical library community to knowledge sharing and professional development, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration.
▲Fig. 1: JMLA members visiting the NTU Medical Library
▲Fig. 2: JMLA members visiting the NTU Hospital Medical Humanities Museum
▲Fig. 3: JMLA members visiting the Beitou Branch of Taipei Public Library
▲Fig. 4: JMLA members visiting the NTU Children’s Hospital
▲Fig. 5: JMLA members visiting the Mackay Children’s Hospital
▲Fig. 6: JMLA members visiting the Mackay Memorial Hospital Library in Taipei
▲Fig. 7: Opening remarks by Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil, President of the Malaysian Librarians Association (PPM), at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 8: Opening remarks by Yasuhiro Komatsu, President of JMLA, at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 9: Keynote speech by Tadashi Kodama, Executive Director of JMLA, at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 10: Online keynote presentation by Zanaria Saupi Udin of MLG at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 11: TMLA–JMLA international exchange discussion at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 12: MLG and JMLA members visiting the National Library of Public Information
▲Fig. 13: MLG and JMLA members visiting the National Library of Public Information
▲Fig. 14: Keynote speech by MLG Chairman Norazlina Abdul Rahman at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 15: Keynote speech by Akiza Roswati Abdullah of MLG at the TMLA 2025 Annual Conference
▲Fig. 16: Group photo of TMLA President Liu, TMLA board members, NCHU Library Director Sung, together with MLG and JMLA members
