Connecting Cultural Memory Across Time and Space A Cross-Media and Multi-Technology Framework for Digital Cultural Narratives in Public Libraries: Evidence from Shanghai Library

Abstract

This paper was submitted to the symposium entitled “Beyond Boundaries: New Mode of Access and Accessibility through Emerging Technologies Symposium” held at the University of Macau Library on March 25-27, 2026. It was co-organised by the IFLA Information Technology Section, IFLA Asia–Oceania Regional Division and University of Macau Library. As public libraries increasingly operate within platform-based and intelligent information environments, digital exhibitions have become an important mechanism for mediating cultural memory beyond physical and temporal boundaries. However, many existing initiatives remain fragmented, treating exhibitions as isolated digital projects rather than sustainable services integrated into library systems. Drawing on the digital exhibition practices of Shanghai library, this paper proposes a cross-media and multi-technology framework for constructing digital cultural narratives in public libraries. It examines how library collections and external media resources can be integrated through structured workflows, curated knowledge graphs, and exhibition-scoped artificial intelligence services. The study demonstrates how multimodal representation, narrative organization, and AI-assisted interpretation can be embedded within library IT infrastructure to support coherent, maintainable, and trustworthy digital exhibition services. By reframing digital exhibitions as infrastructure-level services, the paper offers transferable insights for libraries seeking to align emerging technologies with professional values, system sustainability, and long-term cultural memory responsibilities.