YE HTET OOF O U N D E R O F L I B R A RY A N D K N O W L E D G E P O T M O B I L E

L I B R A RYA C A D E M I C D I R E C TO R , WAT H A N E D U C AT I O N

A C A D E M I C D I R E C TO R , A M A R A A C A D E M I C C E N T E RM YA N M A R

Rethinking roles of small libraries and reading promotion programs in Myanmar

Myanmar

Myanmar, a sovereign state in Southeast Asia bordered by China, Thailand, India, Laos and Bangladesh.

The country has under military control since 1962

Sporadic Protests against military rule during Ne Win years and almost always violently suppressed.

1974, 1988 and 2007 are famous protests that change Myanmar political situation.

New Era of Myanmar

In 2008, the government approved controversial constitution.

In 2010, Myanmar ends its military regime and started to work democracy journey.

In 2012, Myanmar famous icon Aung Sann Suu Kyi’sparty decided to enter in election and wins 43 of 45 seats.

Focus points

Libraries in Myanmar

Small Library: What is small Library?

Challenges of establishing small libraries

Reading promotion of Tharapar Library

Mobile library and its future

Reading habits in Myanmar

Reading is one of Myanmar’s favorite activities. One can find huge book store, small book stores and

people who sell journals on the street.

Libraries used to be the second home of local people.

Most of the social activities and political movements sprout from public libraries.

Libraries in Myanmar

Types of Libraries in Myanmar

(a) National Library

(b) Academic Library

(c) University Library

(d) Public Library

(e) Small public library

Political situation and Libraries

Under military regime, Myanmar people scare to go public places to avoid unnecessary attention.

Military regime also ban public events and public places, libraries are not exception.

For instance, most of the libraries do have proper building and attach with the office.

Also, most of the books are not allowed to check out from the library to avoid losing a book.

Terms and conditions to become a library member in Government library

Must have two photos

Must have NRC, National ID

Must have Family Registration

Must have police recommendation

Must have quarter authority recommendation

Public Libraries opened byMinistry of Information

Over 50,000 public libraries around the country

Very small number of libraries are active

Do not have enough basic amenities

Check out books are not allowed

Attached with township level offices

Lack of library science and library services

Photos

Embassy Libraries

American Center

British Council

Advantages- Good resources, good location and good services

Disadvantages- must have registrations, member fee is high and must be high school graduate

Nargis cyclone in 2008

-The worst cyclone in Myanmar history

-At least 138000 fatalities and most of the delta region were destroyed.

-Relief efforts were slowed for political reasons.

-Myanmar people decided to form non-profit groups to response the need of victims.

Aftermath of Nargis

After deadly cyclone, government alone cannot help the whole country.

Myanmar people start to form small non-profit groups to fulfill the need of the country

A new generation of small libraries open the history of Myanmar library’s history

What do you mean by Small Library?

Must have over 500 books.

Must have organization structure.

Must have registration.

Must have furniture.

Must have income.

Must not affiliate with any political movements.

Must not be a member of any political group.

Procedure

Have to fill out forms.

Have to write commitment not to involve in any political movements.

Have to submit around 30000 kyat ( 30USD) for registration fees.

Require township level authority recommendation

After submission, one has to wait three months or more to get approval.

Challenges of Libraries

Registration

(a) take too many steps

(b) need local authority recommendation which is hard

(c) some people are political party memebers.

(d) do not have any specific time and plan.

Challenges of Small Libraries

Resources

(a) books

(b) technology

(c) librarians

(d) volunteers

Challenge of Small Libraries

Funding

Books- a normal book in Myanmar will cost between 3000 kyat to 10000 kyat.

Location- the renting rate for 12x50 at 4th floor with stair in downtown area is 150000 kyat (160 USD) per month and 12 months advance to rent

Internet installing fee is 1500 USD for one time and 150 USD per every month

Electricity Bill is 100 USD per month

Staffs fees can be 200 USD per month

An average book shelf will cost around 80 USD.

Brief History of Tharapar Library

Starting Date : 1st January 2009

10:00A.M to 7:00 PM

Full time staffs- 2 people

Volunteers -17 students

Began with very limited books with two book shelves

Location- From 2009- 2010 No. 196 A, 4th floor, 28th street

In 2010 October, moved to No.188 A/B, 1st floor, 28th street with three library rooms.

Vision of Tharapar Library

To provide books and educational resources to Myanmar people.

To promote reading habits among Myanmar people.

To enhance the community with hosting workshop, literacy talk and seminars.

To allow Myanmar youths to participate in community works.

Before we become Tharapar Library

Our very first volunteers

Library Services

Open daily from 10 AM to 7:00pm

Free Wifi and Internet Access

Listen Corner

Children Corner

DVDs

TOFEL and SAT trial test every week

Book Club

Community outreach

Current Tharapar

Address:

15000 books in English

5000 books in Myanmar

1011 members

15 volunteers

7 staffs

2000 kyat per year

Our achievements

In 2009 December, Tharapar hosted “How to think critically” by Professor Win Win Kyi.

In 2010, Library moved to the first floor. In 2010 January, Tharapar celebrated its first anniversary. In 2010 February, Tharapar donated 500 Burmese books to “Nae Lone Ni”

non-profit library. In 2010 February, Tharpar donated a python to Yangon zoo. In 2010 June, Tharapar hosted “Road to study abroad “seminar” by

students who got admission from American Colleges. In 2010, August, Tharapar bought barcode software and introduced its

users with the new system. In 2011, January, Tharapar celebrated its second anniversary. In 2011, February, Tharapar give library software training to students from

government high schools, State High School No (1) Pabaedan and State High School No (2) Pabaedan.

.

Our achievements

In 2011, July, first American admission officers visit and seminar about American school.

In 2012, January, Library expands two rooms to expand services. In 2012, January, Tharapar Library introduced Mobile Library services to remote

area. In 2012 May, the first mobile library trip to Than Hling and Kyauk Tan, one and half

hour away from Yangon. In 2012 June, first literacy talk in nun school by Maung Thar Choe, the famous

author in Myanmar. In 2012, August, the second literacy talk by Aung Thinn, the famous author in

Myanmar. In 2012, October, the first library workshop, How to organize a small library, with

50 librarians in Tharapar Library by Daw Myat Sann Nyein, Baldwin Library, American Center.

In 2012, December, the third literacy talk by Aung Thaung, the famous mathematics researchers.

In 2012, December, library tour with Asia Book Foundation Director in Yangon Area

Reading Promotion in Myanmar

Mobile Library

Media

Volunteers

Location

Literacy Talk

Book Club

Presentation Club

Author Literacy Program

Our partners

American Center, Baldwin Library

Asia Book Foundation

Nargis Library Recovery

Myanmar Book Aid and Preservation Foundation

Ministry of Information and Public Relations Department

Vision of Mobile Library programs

To assist underprivileged people acquire rightful access; To encourage reading, especially among monastic school

children; To promote reading and its importance to the

development of nation by introducing and exposing young children to a wide selection of reading materials;

To foster reading as a lifelong habit among Burmese people;

To help build up-to-date mobile libraries in areas especially in underserved areas in the country.

To educate library science, catalogue and maintain the books, to librarians, teachers and youth.

Internship Seminar-sponsored by Tharapar

How do we operate Mobile Library

Tharapar’s library training to IPRD

Future Goal

To improve Myanmar libraries condition as a national level.

To promote the capacity of librarians in Myanmar.

To network with NGO and INGO to improve Myanmar libraries roles.

Thank you

Questions and Answers.