Information regarding the doctoral dissertation before defense of PhD candidate Nguyen Thi Nhung.

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Nguyen Thi Nhung          2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: February 20, 1983 4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa

5. Decision on admitting doctoral students: Decision No. 2949/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 28, 2021, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.,Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process (if any): Decision No. 5672/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, on adjusting the training time for doctoral programs for cohorts QH-2018-X to QH-2021-X from 3 years to 4 years.

7. Thesis title:A shared digital library model for Vietnamese university libraries.

8. Major: Information and Library Science 9. Code: 9320201.01

10. Scientific supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Viet Cuong, Dr. Nguyen Huy Chuong

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis

This dissertation has systematized and clarified the fundamental concepts of inter-library digital libraries, shared digital libraries, university shared digital libraries, and the university shared digital library model within the context of higher education. The research systematically supplements the functions, characteristics, operating principles, and specific evaluation criteria of the shared digital library model – aspects not fully analyzed in previous works. This provides an important theoretical basis for developing a shared digital library model suitable for Vietnam's conditions.

This dissertation is the first to apply a comprehensive combination of modern qualitative and quantitative methods (content coding, Cronbach's Alpha, EFA, PLS-SEM) in the study of a shared digital library model. Based on this, the study developed and validated a scale for measuring readiness to participate in a shared digital library model, ensuring reliability and practical applicability. The integration of theory and practice in the research model design creates a novel methodology with high reference value for the information and library field.

This thesis proposes a shared digital library model for Vietnamese university libraries, along with implementation criteria based on survey results and empirical analysis. The model is designed with a multi-tiered structure, ensuring both consistency in interoperability and sharing while maintaining the autonomy of member libraries. Simultaneously, the thesis develops a system of participation criteria, implementation criteria, and evaluation criteria for the shared digital library model based on nine assurance factors, along with projected implementation costs for each stage. This is a feasible implementation framework and a notable new feature of the research.

This thesis proposes a comprehensive system of solutions to ensure the sustainability of the TVSDC model, including: improving the legal framework and coordination mechanisms; addressing copyright issues; developing, digitizing, and sharing information resources; enhancing digital capacity for library and IT personnel; investing in technological infrastructure; developing information users; standardizing data; and diversifying financial resources. These solutions are linked to a specific implementation roadmap, enabling the model to be directly applied to the practice of higher education in Vietnam.

12. Directions for further research:

Further research directions focus on: (1) perfecting and expanding the theoretical framework of shared digital libraries; in-depth research on the legal framework and copyright issues; (2) In-depth research on the legal framework and copyright issues; (3) Developing and enhancing the readiness scale; (4) Researching the organizational and governance model of a multi-tiered interconnected system; (5) Perfecting a unified set of technical and professional standards; 6) Researching the application of advanced technologies such as AI, Big Data, and blockchain; (7) Assessing practical impact and piloting the model; (8) Researching policy factors and long-term academic sharing culture.

13. Publications related to the dissertation:

1. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023a), “Theoretical basis for building a shared digital university library model in Vietnam”,Journal of Social Sciences and HumanitiesVolume 9 (2b), pp. 146-159, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/vjossh.v9i2b.8318

2. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023b), “Promoting cooperation among Vietnamese universities in building a shared digital library model”, Building a digital knowledge center and a smart university library model. Vinh University Publishing House, Vinh, pp. 291-309, ISBN 978-604-923-722-5.

3. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023c), “Factors ensuring the construction of a shared digital library model for Vietnamese universities in current digital information management”,International Scientific Conference on Information Management in the Digital Age, World Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 226-245, ISBN 978-604-77-8740-1.

4. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023d), “Assurance Policy for building a shared digital library model in higher education in Vietnam”,Second international conference On the issues of social sciences and humanties, Vietnam National University press, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi, pp.693-704, ISBN 978-604-43-1656-7.

5. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023), “Cooperation in building a shared digital university library model in Vietnam”,Culture and Arts Magazine(554), pp.25-28.

6. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2024a), “Development of shared digital library model for Vietnamese universities during the digital transformation process”,Human Resources for information industry in the context of national digital transformation in Vietnam, Viet Nam National University press, Hanoi, pp.177-195, ISBN 978-604-43-2345-9.

7. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2024b), “Digital human resources - a condition for ensuring the construction of a shared digital library model for Vietnamese university libraries”,scientific journal(2), pp.133-144, DOI:https://doi.org/10.55988/2588-1264/204.

8. Nguyen Thi Nhung, Nguyen Huy Chuong (2025a), Vietnamese Library Law promotes the development of a shared university digital library model,Magazine Culture and Arts(599), pp. 71-74.

9. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2025b), “Research on some models of shared university digital libraries in the world and lessons learned for Vietnam”,University administration closely linked to scientific research in the new context.. Information and Communications Publishing House, pp. 1177-1188, ISSN 978-604-45-0818-4.

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Nhung 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: February 20, 1983 4. Place of birth: ThanhHoa

5. Amission decision number: 2949/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 28, 2021 by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities,Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic proceedings: Decision No. 5672/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, regarding the adjustment of the training duration for doctoral programs from cohort QH-2018-X to QH-2021-X, extending from 3 years to 4 years.

7. Official thesis title: Shared Digital Library Model for Vietnamese University Libraries

8. Major: Information and Library Science

9. Code: 9320201.01

10. Supervisors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Viet Cuong, Dr. Nguyen Huy Chuong

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis

The thesis systematizes and clarifies the fundamental concepts of digital libraries, library interoperability, shared digital libraries, shared digital university libraries, and the shared digital library model for higher education institutions. The study scientifically supplements the functions, characteristics, operational principles, and a dedicated set of evaluation criteria for the shared digital library (TVSDC) model—topics that have not been comprehensively addressed in previous research. These findings provide an essential theoretical foundation for developing a TVSDC model suitable for the Vietnamese context.

For the first time, the thesis applies an integrated combination of modern qualitative and quantitative methods (content coding, Cronbach's Alpha, EFA, and PLS-SEM) in examining the shared digital library model. Based on this approach, the study constructs and validates a readiness scale for participation in the TVSDC model, ensuring both reliability and practical applicability. The integration of theoretical and empirical components in the research design constitutes a novel methodological contribution with high reference value for the field of library and information science.

The thesis proposes a shared digital library model for Vietnamese academic libraries, along with an implementation framework grounded in survey results and empirical analysis. The model is structured in a multi-layered architecture that ensures coherence in interoperability and resource sharing while preserving the autonomy of member libraries. In addition, the study develops a system of participation criteria, implementation criteria, and evaluation criteria for the TVSDC model based on nine core determining factors, accompanied by projected implementation costs for each phase. This constitutes a feasible deployment framework and represents one of the key innovations of the research.

The thesis presents a comprehensive set of solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of the TVSDC model, including: improving the legal framework and coordination mechanisms; addressing copyright and intellectual property issues; developing, digitizing, and sharing information resources; enhancing digital competencies for library and IT staff; investing in technological infrastructure; developing user communities; standardizing data; and diversifying financial resources. These solutions are aligned with a concrete implementation roadmap, enabling the model to be applied directly within the context of Vietnamese higher education.

12. Future research directions

Further research directions should focus on: (1) improving and broadening the ideas behind shared digital libraries; (2) doing detailed research on laws and copyright issues; (3) creating and testing ways to measure readiness; (4) looking into how organizations and governance work for multi-level linking systems; (5) finishing a complete set of technical and professional guidelines; (6) studying how to use new technologies like AI, big data, and blockchain; (7) evaluating real-world effects and trying out pilot projects; and (8) examining long-term policy issues and the culture of academic sharing.

13. Thesis-related publications

1. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023a). “Theoretical Foundations for Developing Shared Digital University Library Models in Vietnam.”Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 9 (2b), pp. 146-159

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/vjossh.v9i2b.8318.

1. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023b). “Enhancing Collaboration Among Vietnamese Universities in Developing a Shared Digital Library Model.” PrintDeveloping Digital Knowledge Centers and Smart University Library Models, Vinh University Publishing House, Vinh, pp. 291-309, ISBN 978-604-923-722-5.

2. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023c), “Critical Factors for Developing Shared Digital Library Models in Vietnamese Universities within Current Digital Information Management Practices.” PrintProceedings of the International Conference on Information Management in the Digital Era, The Gioi Publishers, Hanoi, pp. 226-245, ISBN 978-604-77-8740-1.

3. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023d), “Assurance Policy for building a shared digital library model in higher education in Vietnam”,Second international conference On the issues of social sciences and humanties, Vietnam National University press, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi, pp.693-704, ISBN 978-604-43-1656-7.

4. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2023 VND). “Cooperation in Developing Shared Digital University Library Models in Vietnam.”Journal of Culture and ArtsIssue 554, pp. 25-28.

5. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2024a), “Development of shared digital library model for Vietnamese universities during the digital transformation process”,Human Resources for information industry in the context of national digital transformation in Vietnam, Viet Nam National University press, Hanoi, pp.177-195, ISBN 978-604-43-2345-9.

6. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2024b), “Digital Human Resources: A Prerequisite for Developing a Shared Digital Library Model for Vietnamese University Libraries.”Journal of ScienceIssue 2, pp. 133-144, DOI:https://doi.org/10.55988/2588-1264/204.

7. Nguyen Thi Nhung, Nguyen Huy Chuong (2025a). "Vietnam's Library Law and Its Role in Promoting the Development of Shared Digital University Library Models."Journal of Culture and ArtsIssue 599, pp. 71-74.

8. Nguyen Thi Nhung (2025b), “A Study on Selected Shared Digital University Library Models Worldwide and Lessons Learned for Vietnam.” PrintUniversity Governance Linked to Scientific Research in the New Context, Information and Communications Publishing House, pp. 1177-1184, ISBN 978-604-45-0818-4.