ye htet oo - tk park1974, 1988 and 2007 are famous protests that change myanmar political situation....
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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.
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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.