on International Library and Information Work

Volume 44, Number 2, 2013

Editorial 43 Considering the Future of Myanmar’s Public Libraries Ari Katz 44 Inside a “Shopping Mall” Library: a look at Singapore’s Sengkang Public Library Farah Adilla Abdullah 47 The Library of the Lao People Democratic Republic Bouakhay Phengphachanh 52 The Tsunami and Sri Lankan Libraries Afterwards Russell Bowden 56 What Vietnam Should do to Engage Libraries in Promoting Reading Habits and Lifelong Learners Zakir Hossain 59 Ancient Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures and Collections in China Delger 64 Report on the Joint ILIG/IFLA/Eurolis Seminar on Multi-Purpose Libraries Amanda Riddick 71 Book Review 74 Obituary: Norman Briggs BSc MA MCLIP John Lake 76 News around the World 78 ILIG Business 79 Letters to the Editor 79 ISSN 0305-8468 Now you can Advertise in Focus reaching around 750 ILIG members and subscribers, both individual and organisational, in 67 countries

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42 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Editorial

The World Library and Information Congress of IFLA is being hosted by Singapore this year in August, hence the decision to make this issue one that concentrates on articles from or about countries in the Western Pacific and South East Asia regions. It is really gratifying, therefore, to have six articles from these regions including Inner Mongolia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. They cover differing aspects of library and information work in their respective countries but their diversity and enthusiasm for seeking to ensure that libraries play a central role in their societies is heartening in what are difficult times for libraries in the UK.

With recently announced government austerity measures, government funded libraries in the UK are under increasing challenge to deliver, or exist at all. Local Government spending has already been reduced by 60% in the last 4 years and a further 10% is to be lost from the Local Government Office and in the Department of Culture Media and Sport a further 7% savings are being made. And yet, there are good news stories around – on 3 September, Birmingham City will open the new Central Library of 31,000 sq. metres “Rewriting the Book”, making it one of the largest public libraries in the world. More news of this in the next issue. http://www.libraryofbirmingham.com/newlibrary2013

This issue also contains an interesting article on a seminar on “Multi-Purpose Libraries” which took place last November and which points the way to how libraries may change their focus and deliver services in shared buildings with other local government services. There is also a review on a new book on “Developing Community-Led Libraries” which re-inforces that theme. Lastly, there is an obituary of our dear colleague, Norman Briggs BSc, MA MCLIP, who died in March this year. He was an active committee member and Treasurer of ILIG for many years and will be greatly missed by us all. John Lake

Focus on International Library and Information Work is published three times a year (March, July and November) by the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) of the CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. This issue printed by: Foxprint Editor: John Lake Tel.: +44 (0)1509 505413; Fax: +44 (0)1509 650413 Email: [email protected] Web: www.foxprint.co.uk or [email protected] InDesign work by Gillian Harris Associate Editor: Alice Tyler Annual subscription: £40.00; US$80.00; €60.00 Tel.: +44 (0)116 275 1379 Orders, remittances (payable to ‘ILIG’), and Email: [email protected] advertisements to: Kathleen Ladizesky, Glantrisant, Trisant, Aberystwyth SY23 4RL UNITED Book Review Editor: Jacqueline Barlow KINGDOM Tel: +44 (0)1974 282 411 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 43 Considering the Future of Myanmar’s Public Libraries By Ari Katz*

Summary: Myanmar is facing a period of accelerated development, and along with these changes, access to information is required for everyone to participate. The country’s 5,000 public libraries should not be overlooked as partners. Re-imagined as community information and service hubs, public libraries offer an existing infrastructure that can expand skills and opportunities for all. Many rural communities in Myanmar, like this one in Phaung Daw Oo, Mandalay District, have invested in In February 2013, a team from Electronic building public libraries. Information for Libraries (EIFL) (www.eifl.net) and International Research and Exchanges Following are some conclusions from the Board (IREX) (www.irex.org) visited Myanmar team, which can also be found in a Beyond as part of the Beyond Access initiative to Access country brief at http://beyondaccess. explore the possibilities for library development net/blog/2013/04/18/why-libraries-are-essential- in the rapidly changing country. Beyond Access to-myanmars-development-plans/. (www.beyondaccess.net) is a movement of people and organisations committed to the A Time of Rapid Change idea that modern public libraries help drive Spurred by unprecedented openness in economic and social development goals. the government and a sweeping reform Its organising committee is made up of 11 process, Myanmar is changing at breakneck organisations working in the fields of libraries speed, in every sector. Red tape has been and international development, and it is funded reduced, government transparency increased, by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. and international partnerships launched. A country that had been isolated for forty years Dr. Thant Thaw Kaung of the Myanmar Book is now actively engaging the international Centre hosted the visit, during which the team community, looking to leapfrog development visited libraries, development organisations, stages and integrate its population into the and local and national government agencies. global economy. This transition will require an The team sought to understand where engaged citizenry that can access and use the international experience and partnerships might information increasingly available to improve be helpful in forming a vision for the future of their lives and their communities. Myanmar’s libraries. The Beyond Access team got a first-hand view into Myanmar’s rich Fortunately, Myanmar benefits from a reading culture and history of public libraries, vast network of public libraries that operate and came away impressed by the possibilities. throughout the country, in every kind of community, rural and urban. Many of these *Ari Katz is Deputy Director for Technology and Civil libraries have been a community effort – built Society, IREX, email [email protected], skype: ari.katz, through volunteerism and philanthropic twitter: @beyond_access, www.beyondaccess.net contributions, in co-operation with local and

44 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Considering the Future of Myanmar’s Public Libraries national government. These public libraries can support the development of a knowledge society, even as forms of knowledge transition from print to electronic. As Myanmar’s government and people put into action their plans for increasing opportunity and improving lives, libraries represent a native institution that could be leveraged to provide a head start. Myanmar has a vibrant reading culture, and libraries find Myanmar’s government appears to ways – including purchasing and donations – to stock recognise that access to information is integral their collections. to development plans. Censorship has been removed, and privately owned newspapers Partnership by 2016 is evidence of movement are allowed for the first time in 50 years. New in the right direction. legislation and regulatory reforms seek to rapidly scale access to technology with a target Experience from other countries indicates of 75% mobile penetration by 2015. Laws that that the next ingredient is a local community kept SIM card prices artificially inflated and out institution that can connect people with the of reach for the majority have been scrapped. information they need. With its existing library Public wi-fi hotspots are a requirement of the infrastructure, part of the answer lies ready. new broadband infrastructure tender. As the government strengthens channels for government-citizen communication, provides Of course, technology is only part of the improved government services throughout solution. For technology to have a meaningful the country, works to integrate rural and ethnic impact on people’s lives, there must also be populations, and uses community meeting relevant and useful information to access, and space for informed consultation, public libraries guidance available to apply the information are an ideal community partner. practically. One ingredient is a government committed to ensuring information is open, The Beyond Access team had the chance another is a feedback loop so that needs can to visit and witness some libraries that have be conveyed by citizens. Myanmar’s stated already taken steps to provide a model for how intention to join the Open Government Myanmar’s libraries can support community needs. Myanmar is divided administratively into 66 districts, 262 townships, 89 sub-townships and 69,000 villages. • For example, Dr. Chit Maung Library, Myanmar’s 5,000 public libraries fall under the located in a disadvantaged corner of Ministry of Information’s Information and Public Yangon, has developed over 18 years into Relations Department (IPRD). The majority of a model community library that meets Myanmar’s registered libraries are located throughout a range of local needs, providing books the country’s villages and co-funded by the IPRD. and complementary services through its computer centre, gym, and fish farm

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 45 Considering the Future of Myanmar’s Libraries

that generate income. It also provides basic library training to librarians from elsewhere in the country through a partnership with the Myanmar Library Association.

• Tharapar Library, also located in Greater Yangon, provides access to hard-to- find English books. The library also provides public computers and wi-fi, and in partnership with the Ministry of Many rural libraries were built based on funding from Information, runs a mobile library that local residents who’ve prospered, like this one in distributes both English and Myanmar Nyaung Bin Pu Village, Mandalay District, language books to remote areas. Its supported by a local doctor. founder and head librarian Ye Htet Oo has trained government public the country’s 66 district libraries last year and librarians in customer service and library invited US embassy staff to conduct training on management. community library service. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is finalizing plans to launch two mobile • In Than Lyin, a public library based in the library vehicles equipped with computers to That Dahamaza Ti Ka’Yon Monastery, reach people throughout her rural constituency. has secured 24-hour electricity from the A brand new public library is being built in government to power its 10 public access the centre of Mandalay. Such initiatives speak computers. A computer trainer provides to the promise in store for Myanmar’s public training to students and community libraries. members. With official support and investment, the country’s committed public librarians and The process of modernising Myanmar’s libraries can gain the space and freedom to libraries has already started. One Ministry of fulfill their potential as a sustainable, trusted Information initiative put computers in 33 of and accessible force for Myanmar’s inclusive development.

46 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Inside a ‘Shopping Mall’ Library: a look at Singapore’s Sengkang Public Library by Farah Adilla Abdullah*

A woman came up to me for a chat after located inside a shopping mall was Jurong I had wrapped up a session of storytelling West Community Library, which opened in for children at Sengkang Public Library one Jurong Point shopping mall on 22 March 1996. afternoon, and proclaimed that she loved the This “shopping mall” concept was hatched convenience of having a mall near her home to bring the library closer to the people that provided everything! and to encourage lifelong learning among Singaporeans.1 “Everything?” I probed. The shopping mall concept was first “Yes, everything! In one afternoon, I am able developed as part of the National Library to get so many things done... buy groceries, do Board‘s (NLB) Library 2000 masterplan to some window shopping, get a manicure, and improve public library services in Singapore. even pick up library books for my children plus The report suggested that new community magazines for myself,” the woman explained. libraries could be set up in commercial or She left the library that day saying that she institutional buildings in town centres to draw would be back soon for more books. new users and bigger crowds. 1.

While I appreciated her sky-high praises Today, mall libraries in Singapore have an of my library, I didn’t dwell on her remark at area of between 1,200 to 2,300 square metres, first. It was only a little later, when I realised which are much smaller than our mid-sized and with a start that in actual fact, mall libraries regional libraries. They provide a library service had not featured in Singapore’s landscape until similar to that of NLB’s other public libraries. only about a decade ago. There are currently 12 shopping mall public I most certainly did not see any mall libraries libraries in Singapore. The latest shopping mall growing up, even though malls were popping library is library@chinatown, which opened in up everywhere. Libraries I visited were always January this year. The library@chinatown has standalone buildings of a few floors, and an interesting concept as it is a library run stocked with all manner of books. Getting to entirely by volunteers, which takes community some of these libraries entailed a long walk or engagement to a whole other level. bus ride, or both. While my mum brought me to the library very often, I couldn’t help but Sengkang Public Library think about whether I would have visited the Sengkang Public Library (SKPL) is located library even more had shopping mall libraries in the Compass Point shopping mall in the been introduced all those years ago. northeast of Singapore. The library was officially opened on 30 November 2002 by The Mall Library concept Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean, then Senior The first ever library in Singapore to be Minister of Education and Second Minister for Defence. SKPL is one of 25 libraries under *Farah Adilla Abdullah is a Librarian at the Marine the Singapore Public Libraries network. The Parade Public Library, Singapore. library is located on the fourth floor of the mall

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 47 Inside a “Shopping Mall” Library and has a total area of 1,809 square metres. which today are made available at our other Compass Point is a busy mall that is well- public libraries. The service counter has since linked by public transport. been re-introduced to the library.

SKPL is managed by a total of 8 staff The services provided are the loaning of members, including an assistant manager, books, audiovisual materials and magazines library officers and team leaders. It may for adults, young people and children; self- surprise you that that the full headcount does check stations for book borrowing, e-kiosks for not include any librarians. There is indeed checking account information, membership and no librarian fully based at SKPL. In fact, all programme registration and payment of fines; mall libraries in Singapore are not manned by and book drops for the easy return of books. librarians full-time. All librarians in Singapore’s Multi-media terminals for internet usage as public libraries are based at either our regional well as viewing of audio-visual materials are and mid-sized libraries. However, librarians also available. Various library programmes are at mid-sized libraries also support the mall actively organised here as well. libraries. In my case, as a librarian based at the Marine Parade Public Library, which is a mid- NLB’s mission and vision of ‘Readers for sized library, I also support SKPL. Together Life, Learning Communities, Knowledgeable with another librarian, I lend support in terms Nation’ resonates through all of SKPL’s services of collection development and maintenance, and programmes. developing programmes that meet the needs of the community as well as establishing Demographics community partnerships and networks. The library serves some 177,800 residents of Sengkang estate and 74,700 residents of There is also a team of library engagement neighbouring Punggol estate.2. This figure is officers and part-time staff readers, who expected to increase significantly in the coming help with shelving and other necessary years as there are plans for more public tasks. Volunteers are also brought in when housing as well as private condominiums to be we require extra help, especially during the built in the area, and to develop neighbouring busy school holiday periods. Volunteers have Punggol as a lifestyle and eco-hub. become an indispensable part of the SKPL family, and we have a team of regulars who Sengkang and Punggol are relatively newer help us out in many ways, such as preparing housing estates located in the heartland areas of programme materials, or helping to distribute Singapore. Public housing in the form of high promotional tokens. The library was piloted as rise flats is the predominant type of dwelling Singapore’s – and possibly one of the world’s in these estates, which have been set aside – first DIY (Do-It-Yourself) library, where more for low to middle income families. A good self-service equipment was introduced to help majority of these flats belong to first time home library users. At that point in time the NLB owners, especially newly married couples or was experimenting with the vision of a library couples with young children3. A closer look at without a service counter. This coincided with the demographics of Sengkang and Punggol the development of new automated services, reveals that children below the age of 14 make

48 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Inside a “Shopping Mall” Library

up 22.3% of the resident population2. SKPL achieved the most loans of any library in Singapore for the month of April 2013, beating Thus there is a relatively young demographic even the large regional libraries. Some of these and this plays a major role in the success of factors contributing to this achievement include SKPL as a public library. Many services and a relevant and responsive collection, regular programmes have been specially tailored loan promotion drives, as well as being pro- to meet the needs of its most fervent users, active at engaging the community. parents and children. During recent renovations, a new space was Collection and Loans carved out at the entrance of the library to The library houses a collection of about highlight our new arrivals. This attractive area 165,000 books, magazines, and audio-visual displays new materials in all the four languages, items in the four official languages. English and is fast becoming one of the hottest spots in materials make up the bulk of the collection, our library. Users are encouraged to suggest new followed by Chinese, Malay and Tamil books; titles online or via our customer service counter. this mirrors the proportion of the different ethnic groups in Singapore. All the library A Community Space material available can be borrowed as the mall Libraries today are no longer mere libraries do not have reference collections. repositories of books. They have become social spaces that provide a platform for The collection covers a broad range of members of the community to interact and subjects for leisure reading for all ages. SKPL’s learn. Increasingly, the design of our public strength lies in providing a buffet of reading libraries has evolved to facilitate community materials and a breadth of topics for its users engagement and meet the needs of the to choose from. Popular fiction, lifestyle reads, communities they serve. magazines, award-winning books for children, as well as picture books are very popular with During the major renovation from March our users. Apart from the print collection, our to May of this year, the children’s section was users also have access to an e-book collection transformed from a conventional space for of 2.2 million books and over 3000 magazines. children’s books to a colourful innovative space These books and magazines can also be that promotes learning through exploration accessed from home. Posters and banners and active play. are used throughout the library to publicise our e-services, and new e-books are regularly The biggest draw in the new children’s promoted via the SKPL Facebook page. Our section is the design that incorporates unique officers at the customer service counter also reading nooks built into the shelves. Children promote e-books and e-magazines to our users, are drawn to these circular cubby holes that especially when physical copies have already they can crawl into to escape and enjoy been loaned out or not available in our library. their books. Other innovative seating areas encourage parents to bond with their children The library has been performing well on the by reading together in a comfortable space. score board, especially in terms of loans. In fact, Many shelves are kept low to encourage

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 49 Inside a “Shopping Mall” Library children to explore and select books on their own. The space is more open now, and colours are kept bright and cheery. In a word, the space is fun, because well, reading is fun!

Efforts at Engaging the Community Libraries have been described as bridges for building social connections4. In the world of community building, public libraries have a unique and powerful role to play in bringing together different people who may not share Sengkang Children’s Library - two views experiences with each other otherwise.

SKPL has a keen consciousness of its role in building a vibrant community and we have been pro-active at getting the community engaged in a multitude of ways. We believe that a strong relationship with community partners is very important and continually seek opportunities to expand our network. A case in point is in working at co-developing programmes and services with the public, as their information and learning needs are Community outreach becoming more complex. This will hopefully Currently, we collaborate with many bring about a heightened sense of ownership community partners such as community and increased community participation. centres, resident committees and businesses in the area to bring our services to a wider Like most organisations today, we are also range of people. For example, we support the engaging customers through new media, with monthly Read with SKCC event at the Sengkang the library’s own Facebook page. Through the Community Club, by setting up a mobile page, we are connected to our customers at library for the day. Our librarians regularly all times, and they have a means to reach us conduct storytelling and craft activities for instantly too. Our page allows us to get the children at this monthly event. Much public word out about upcoming events quickly while support is garnered at these events, and it is reaching a wider audience. We also use the through outreach that we are able to reach page to promote our collection, new services out to people who have lost touch with the and programmes as well as put up posts that library. would be of interest to the community that we serve. Our page has garnered over 800 likes DEAR@SCHOOL and DEAR@COMMUNITY and is increasing at a steady rate. Do visit us at Standing for Drop Everything and Read, http://www.facebook.com/SengkangPL DEAR@SCHOOL and DEAR@COMMUNITY allow schools and educational centres as well

50 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Inside a “Shopping Mall” Library as social, welfare and community organisations to start their own mini library with up to 2000 books. These books are on loan for a maximum period of 9 weeks, after which a fresh batch of books are selected for a new period of loan. As SKPL is close to many schools and educational centres, this service is well-subscribed and we currently have a total of 53 DEAR partnerships and we expect this number to increase. Magical Science Children’s Special Programmes at SKPL Various programmes are held at SKPL every Conclusion week, catering to all age and interest groups Libraries today are no longer bastions adding to the vibrancy in the library. These of knowledge but public institutions with programmes are created by librarians and the power to transform communities. As partners. Increasingly, we are also moving a public library in Singapore, SKPL has an towards co-creation of programmes, which important role to play in fostering community allows the community to be more involved engagement and nurturing life-long learners. in programme planning and content. These And as the needs of the community becomes programmes include arts education sessions, more diverse, the library and thus the librarians user-education workshops and school holiday like myself will have to continually adapt in programmes. Recently, SKPL hosted a series new and creative ways. of programmes that introduces the basics of children’s book illustrations to children. This References series is part of the NLB’s Arts 101 programme 1Balamurugan, Anasuya. (2002). Shopping mall which aims to expose the public to the arts. libraries. In Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 11 June, 2013 from http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_705_2005- Learning Communities - The Parenting Club 01-20.html The Parenting Club is SKPL’s first regular 2Department of Statistics (2013). Geospatial Data. activity club, and is notable as NLB’s first Retrieved 11 June, 2013 from www.singstat.gov.sg/ learning community exclusively for parents. 3Housing Development Board (2013, May 30). This club provides a platform for parents with Privilege for first timers. Retrieved 13 June 2013, from young children to gather every month to share https://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyingNe their experiences in parenting. The club is run wFlatFT?OpenDocument by a facilitator who is also a regular visitor. It 4Putnam, R. D. & Feldstein, L. M. (2003). Better is only natural that the Parenting Club be set up Together: Restoring the American Community. New in this area, as it ties in with the demographics York: Simon & Schuster. of the people here. Response to this club has been overwhelming. The librarians are working with the facilitator to co-create content by recommending suitable books and topics for discussions for the sessions.

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 51 The Library of Lao People’s Democratic Republic by Bouakhay Phengphachanh*

General Overview Organisation The National Library is administratively under the Department of Publishing and Libraries within the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. It is the main institution responsible for all library development and activities, for reading promotion, the sharing of information and for the preservation of cultural heritage and documents. It is also responsible National Library Building for the training and administration of all library staff. It administers and controls both copyright Library of Lao Manuscripts project, which and the delivery of ISBN numbers. has made almost 12,000 primary manuscript sources (approximately 500,000 digital images) Overview from Laos available via the Internet. Further The Lao Government’s policy is to develop research was also undertaken on the Annotated the human resources and library infra-structure Catalogue of Tai Nuea Manuscripts. in order to promote information literacy within the country and quality services in the library Now, the Government is building a new sector. The National Library is responsible National Library building, which is expected to for the building of public libraries in every be completed in 2015. To go along with a new province of the country and the development building, the National Library with the Lao of its reading promotion programme. At IT company are thinking together about the the National Library, we are not yet able to whole library system (especially in improving physically expand our premises, so we have and developing library collections and library focused on improving the quality of our services) to step into the digital library. services. During the financial year 2009-2010, we developed an IT training room which has Key Facts and Figures been used from 2010-2013 for training staff The total number of all types of library in from Ministries within the Lao Government. Laos is 1,310 libraries, of which; We also renovated the Indochina Collection, which was at the same time digitally scanned, • 41 are public libraries, including 5 mobile including photographs of Laos from the libraries (one of which is on a boat) French colonial period. We continued and • 40 are special libraries improved the second phase of the Digital • 15 are university libraries • 1,220 are school libraries (mostly reading *Bouakhay Phengphachanh rooms) is Deputy Director, National • 6,500 are portable libraries for primary Library of Laos. Email schools in remote areas bphengphachanh@yahoo. • 10 are ecclesiastical libraries com In provincial libraries, satellite groups have

52 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 The Library of Lao People’s Democratic Republic been established to exchange experience on Audiovisual Collections reading activities and to circulate books. They For audio visual materials, our main also conduct study visits to public libraries. collection is the Archive of Traditional Music Each large public library now has a computer, in Laos, which has 1,200 recordings, including which uses CDs to simulate Internet use and video. Acquisition continues to rely upon to start to computerise catalogues. foreign support, due to lack of funding. This sometimes creates difficulties when the In 2011, the National University of Laos donated materials are not suitable for our opens the Curriculum of Library and audiences. Laos has not yet established Legal Information Science for Bachelor Degrees. Deposit, and therefore must buy books for the However, the training for library staff is still National Library collection. needed and continues, especially for local library staff. Each year, the National Library in Digital Collections co-operation with the Lao Library Association The E-collection of Indochina is a collection conducts training programmes, approximately of 3,000 records with documentation that 15 trainings for library staff in 17 provinces. three countries can access. Lao Palm Leaf Manuscript Digital library: all libraries in Collections the world can access our collections though General Collections the internet at www.laomanuscripts.net.This The library collection includes some 385,000 digital library now has 12,000 records. The volumes, of which 100,000 are in public use, website is open to the public but we are still while the rest are in storage due to lack of continuing with our expert team to revise and shelf space at the National Library building. update the data. The National Library this year The books in storage are rotated from time to will become the centre for the development of time. similar collections in neighbouring countries, as having worked with experts, our staff are Manuscript and Indochina Collections now qualified to help through co-operation There are two unique and rare collections: with neighbouring countries. the first is the collection of 12,000 traditional manuscripts (mostly palm-leaf) and the second Depository Collections is the Indochina Collections of 3,000 volumes, This aspect of our National Library work both of which have been catalogued, digitised, is progressing well, as we are able to collect and made available via the Internet. copies of all publications every year. We have 5 main depositories: Bibliographies and Indexes Published We produce bibliographies each year for our • National Legal Depository: Every year database, but do not print them due to lack we collect approximately 600 copies of of funding. Indexes are produced for English new publications (150 titles, 4 copies per language publications and for the ASEAN title). From this we prepare the National COCI project. Bibliography. • UNESCO and UNDP Depository Collection: we continue to work

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 53 The Library of Lao People’s Democratic Republic

closely with UNESCO especially in the educational and cultural sector to make a national collection. • ASEAN Depository Collection: we receive publications from the ASEAN countries every month and also send to their Depository Collections. • Women and Gender Depository Collection: This collection contains both National and International publications. A Book Bag • Traditional Music Depository: We collect all traditional and ethnic music from in local communities by the National library all national and international research and the Ministry of Education, often using conducted in Laos. community libraries as the centre. Copyright and Library Law Library Services Situation There are no copyright associations, National Library Services organisations, or clearance centres to date. The National Library continues to provide A new Library Law was established by the reading corners for information on ASEAN Department of Publishing and National countries, NGOs, Women’s Rights and the Library, Ministry of Information Culture and Lao Women’s Union, and National Heritage Tourism in 2012, detailing management, staff as reference materials. This year almost 20,000 and services. Currently we are disseminating books were borrowed which is a 100 percent the library law to the public. increase on the previous year. The National Library co-operates with M. Bernard Gay, in Affiliations, Co-operations (Local and Foreign) producing Le Bibliographie du Laos, which Important co-operation projects during the is widely used. We also provide a current past years include: bibliography of Lao publications annually. • The Lao-Vietnam-Sweden programme on public library development. Reading promotion activities have increased • Co-operation with Japanese NGOs due to further co-operation with JICA. on reading promotion and library Approximately 1,000,000 books are printed construction. each year for free distribution in remote areas • Co-operation with the Staatsbibliothek zu to promote reading. Volunteers from the Berlin and the University of Passau on the National Library help children with reading, Digital Library of Lao manuscripts. storytelling and advice about different kinds of • Co-operation with the French Government books. The National Library has also published on the Indochina Archive library in training children’s books for distribution to schools. on database management of ISBN. Reading festivals are organised annually in June and October, in collaboration with many The Role of the National Library in the New partners. We also have a mobile library service. Era Information literacy programmes are conducted The National Library plays a very important

54 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 The Library of Lao People’s Democratic Republic role in developing countries such as Laos. As an under-developed country educational opportunities have been more limited in the past, particularly in the countryside. While this situation is improving, a large percent of the population has had limited access to information, education and skills development. Thus an important role of the National Library system is to assist these people through libraries that function as life-long learning centres where people can gain access to information and upgrade and improve their skills. Provincial Library (Huaphan)

The National Library should have a strong administrative structure, and a qualified staff, place for complete library administration as prepared to lead libraries throughout the well as for public access to information. Digital country into an expanded role for libraries. access as well as librarians trained in search The staff should have a large vision in which and information retrieval will enable access to the National Library should play the role of broad ranging and up-to-date information that developing Human Resources through their is not available if we have to rely on hard copy collections and facilities. Where access isn’t texts. It can enable the sharing of a wealth of available to higher education, libraries should educational, training and skills development become knowledge centres supporting the materials, whether written, video or interactive. population through staff with appropriate Digitisation will also enable complete access, skills and access to information. This requires from any computer to our fragile cultural an expanded role for librarians, skilled in heritage and historical documents. finding and passing on the information and resources appropriate to build the knowledge A broadening of our view to see libraries as base of local residents. the knowledge, information and skills resource centres of the future, with IT as an appropriate The Government should support the means to provide such access, will speed Laos National Library so that it is able to meet on its path to development and equalise information needs of the people, for literacy, opportunities for life-long learning throughout culture and history as well as knowledge and the country. skills.

Now we are trying to upgrade the National Library to be representative of the kind of knowledge centre that is required to help the citizens continue to develop themselves and the country. Our new National Library facility should be fully automated, with IT systems in A Boat Mobile

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 55 The Tsunami and Sri Lankan Libraries Afterwards by Russell Bowden*

The aftermath of the tsunami that struck Sri legislative supports and basic infra-structures Lanka early on Boxing Day 2004 is as good a on which to build - is best exemplified in place as any to commence a brief review of the the Central Province with standards firmly current position of libraries in Sri Lanka. based on the IFLA / UNESCO Guidelines and managed by one of the doyennes of Lankan School libraries were worst affected (179) and public libraries (Daya Ratnayake). Other public then public libraries (57) whilst many others libraries’ developments are less advanced, with – special, private and home libraries were perhaps the exceptions of the Municipal and damaged with differing degrees of severity. The Urban Councils where funding has remained LIS community, led by the National Library, was reasonably buoyant, but in comparison, those quick to respond to a request from UNESCO serving Pradeshiya Sabhas continue to struggle Paris for a proposal - required within two and remain behind innovations in other weeks which we met working over weekends Lankan LIS sectors.(1) – so that after ten months waiting we received from UNESCO US$100,000. (Monies were It was through the National Library that well-managed, lawfully accounted for and many public libraries (with this UNESCO expended by a specially established SL Disaster support) re-established services. Unfortunately Management Committee.) The opportunities solid foundations for the National Libraries’ this provided to innovate public libraries’ services themselves, created over an eighteen information services by availing themselves year period, were somewhat undermined when of large government-inspired projects to the Government failed for nearly four years to establish in remote rural communities nena- appoint a Board or a Director-General. salas (community telecentres) regrettably came to naught despite the fact that generally However, responsibilities for bibliographic island-wide ICTA penetration is today proving control remained and, as one of the few effective with mobile phone connections - in a Lankan libraries providing general access to population of some twenty million - in excess of the public, it has continued to maintain the eighteen million, boding well for the future. National Library Catalogue, union catalogues etc. and to manage its international obligations Thereafter, with a few notable exceptions – for ISBN, ISSN and ISMN services. The last one being development plans for public libraries three decades have seen it responsible for more in four of the Provinces that have in place than five thousand publications. Libraries have increased along with the numbers of universities *Professor Russell Bowden is the retired Deputy Chief Executive to fifteen along with fifteen Higher Education of The Library Association [1976 – 1994]; MA / ALISE Course Institutes although such rapid expansion has Director, Loughborough University of Technology [1974-76]; not been reflected in the requisite increase in Honorary IFLA Fellow [1995]. Now living in Sri Lanka, although finances for their libraries. Nevertheless, by semi-retired, he serves on occasion on the Council and / or Ex Co comparison, they have retained energies, along of the SLLA, is UGC nominee on the Board of Management of with an influx of new ideas and practices many NILIS, is an advisor to the Central Province’s library programme introduced by staffs returning from education and, until recent retirement, was the Honorary Librarian of the outside the Island. Through ULA (University Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. He has recently completed a Librarians Association) and libraries’ links Doctorate in Buddhist Studies to government (via SCOLIS - the Standing

56 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 The Tsunami and Sri Lankan Libraries Afterwards

Conference of University Libraries - of the UGC- A ‘curate’s egg’ (with both good and bad University Grants Commission) if slowly they qualities) would be a picturesque but precise are innovating services and improving inter- way to describe the current school libraries’ university libraries’ co-operation (witness Dr scene. Outside the government’s remit i.e. in Ruwan Gamage’s innovative ‘Library Friends’ international schools in the ‘private’ sector, there electronic discussion services developed for ILL exist in some (but in far from all) examples of for which he won ILIG’s ‘International Award in excellent services and practices employing 2009). Yet another attempt is afoot to establish a contemporary learning/teaching practices consortia - most commendable and necessary to along with resources and staff skills associated negotiate terms with out-of-island product and with information literacy. Alas, not so much service suppliers - and eminently practicable outside this segment. Here it beggars the for a small island with only these thirty highest mind that educationalists believe that they can education institutions. deliver any learning to their students without their having access to information above and The Special Libraries sector is well-supported beyond that delivered from teachers’ lecture by a revitalized National Science Foundation, notes or ‘chalk and talk’ or whatever. Ill-staffed, effectively a de facto National Library for the appallingly-badly resourced and their functions science & technology sector that also provides in education poorly understood they remain to facilities for digitisation of local collections and be improved (if, and when, there is a realisation provides quality science & technology information that without well-educated and knowledgeable services to industries and commerce. young citizens no country can ever develop to meet its envisaged potential). The Library Association, after an international and successful celebration of fifty years work A 1999 World Bank–assisted project for in October 2011 (conceived and overseen by just such a purpose (the establishment in the its then dynamic President – Upali Amarasiri University of Colombo of a post-graduate MA/ALISE Loughborough 1980) - earned National Institute for Library and Information much well-deserved kudos – although marred Sciences - NILIS) contained within it a plan to somewhat by less-than-hoped-for revival of fund the selection, education and training of the fortunes of REFSALA (Regional Federation four thousand teacher-librarians (which in its of South Asian Library Associations) in the preparation had drawn on the expertise of UK creation of which, along with the Nepalese colleagues like Rosemary Radon and Ann Irving) LA, it had played a major role. The Sri Lanka - has for nearly a decade been obstructed by Library Association (SLLA) has sunk into one or two officials in the Ministry of Education quietism. However, this year it will celebrate a disobeying a directive from the Cabinet - under decade of annual research seminars (NACLIS – the direction of H.E. The President – one of National Conference in LIS) which year-on-year whom even went so far as to inform some NILIS has witnessed at least one noteworthy objective MA degree-holders for teacher-librarians’ posts, achieved – namely the encouragement, amongst that they had been wasting their time! young members, of LIS research (along with NILIS) and presentations on these results and NILIS’ failure to meet World Bank financed innovative practices. proposals and objectives have nevertheless, in an

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 57 The Tsunami and Sri Lankan Libraries Afterwards ironic way, contributed quite differently to NILIS’ definite and commendable advances. Sometimes recent successes. The Ministry of Education’s somewhat backward mind-sets - both in the offence forced the Institute to identify, and profession but primarily outside and especially concentrate on, other market requirements which in government where funding (as everywhere) recently have included plans for courses in does nothing to resolve problems - have archival science. Now it is successfully engaged resulted in the island’s LIS remaining further in instruction in information and knowledge behind developments and innovations taking management skills, aimed particularly at the place elsewhere in the world than they need. private sector. Nevertheless it still maintains Outstanding, however, is the Government’s its expertise in imparting nationally to the failure to make best use of, and adhere to, education sector information literacy skills its contract monies from the World Bank for and competencies that resulted from an IFLA- NILIS’s work to prepare four thousand school supported 2004 International Symposium that librarians. gave birth to the NILIS ‘Empowering 8’ model which has served to move it nationally into To be a ‘large goldfish in a small bowl’ is never its current leadership role for information and an enviable situation! Lankan LIS need to open librarianship education. themselves up! Happily, now that restrictions imposed by the civil war have been overcome, Its increasingly successful annual Symposia – it can learn and must benefit from all the none more successful than in November last year innovations that are developing and taking place – has assisted it to consider a programme (along in the information and knowledge management with the University of Mysore’s International worlds outside Sri Lanka – represented best School of Information Management – IsiM) that in by mobiles and tablets, androids, social tools, future will concentrate on defining the particular the www - that have converted a decade of innovative skills required by information-science ‘information famines’ into ‘information deluges’. biased librarians and future ‘cybrarians’. This Then, and only then, will the profession achieve will provide user-education advice and assistance what it is eminently capable of, namely, a in this new age of ‘information overload’ leadership position in the region. (exemplified by social tools, www info-provision, hand-phones and tablets, androids and apps.) Let me put LIS in Sri Lanka into context. Sir and assist with the emergence from libraries of Arthur C Clarke said ‘there are many, islands as information and learning ‘commons’ as well as beautiful as Sri Lanka but none possess the long a critical examination and, if necessary, up-date history and rich culture of this beautiful country’! This of the elements of ‘Empowering 8’. Kelaniya is the country whose LIS we are examining! University, the oldest LIS educator, continues to provide degree, post-graduate qualifications (1)Information on post-Tsunami achievements would and diploma and certificate courses. The SLLA require another article larger than the space available. continues to concentrate on education for its The author wishes to acknowledge assistance with this Diploma. article from many colleagues in the Lankan LIS profession particularly the generous advice, contributions and In summary: perhaps a little slower than corrections from Dr. Ruwan Gamage, Mrs. Dushyanthi innovations related to libraries and information Daniel and many others who wish to remain anonymous.. services have deemed necessary, there exist Thank you my colleagues.

58 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 What Vietnam Should Do to Engage Libraries in Promoting Reading Habits and Lifelong Learners: an Immigrant Librarian Viewpoint by Zakir Hossain*

Reading plays an integral part in the and serious reading. Without a shadow of education of individuals, especially children doubt it can be said that the biggest reasons and young adults. It is defined as a basic life for declining reading habits among Vietnamese skill, a cornerstone for a child’s success in school, students i.e. children and young adults is the and indeed throughout the life. Reading is so misuse of electronic medias i.e. computer important that it cannot be eliminated from the gaming, both online or offline, over-watching education process. Therefore, reading is vital television, whether in-house or outdoor, for the individual in different ways. Different gaming zones in the large shopping malls etc. people read for diverse purposes, like formal education, entertainment, informal education, In 2011, Hanoi Department of Education obtaining social knowledge, professional and Training conducted a survey of 990,000 development, etc. primary and secondary school students and found that 5,805 were addicted to online Libraries provide access to reading materials games. Nearly 216,000 played online games through which school children and youths can between one to three times per week and gain and improve their skills. It helps introduce 13,000 played 10 times per week. Some played the use of reading for information, pleasure, games for up to 12 hours. This causes a drop passing examinations, and personal growth in learning results at school and some students throughout lifelong learning. Libraries provide even drop out (Vietnam News, 2012). materials that offer more extensive and varied information than classroom study alone. In addition to the above, the following are also similarly blamed for declining reading Reasons for Declining Reading Habits among habits among Vietnamese: Vietnamese • Education systems A lot has been heard over the past couple • Teaching methods of years about declining reading habits among • Poor library activities and services the Vietnamese, especially amongst students. • Lack of qualified school librarian Looking critically at Vietnam as a whole, the • Lack of governmental initiatives and so lack of reading culture has been described forth. as one of the major causes of the problems militating against the society’s development. Steps should be taken to promote reading The situation is even getting worse, because habits and lifelong learners in Vietnam our leaders of tomorrow – our children - are growing up with even less attraction to books During a period in which peoples’ reading habits are declining, it is the responsibility of *Zakir Hossain; M.A in LIS, Manager all relevant parties (library is one of the major of Library and Information Center, parties) to take necessary measures to improve SEAMEO RETRAC-Vietnam email: the reading habits of the people. Having [email protected] ; zakir@vnseameo. considered some of the factors responsible org for the poor reading culture in Vietnam, it is

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 59 What Vietnam should do to engage libraries in promoting reading habits pertinent to suggest some urgent and essential and endeavour to co-operate with schools in strategies that can be adopted to turn the improving that support. Vietnam has a de- country into a reading nation and its citizens centralised public library system. Vietnamese a reading people, some of which are the public libraries need to widen their output of following: materials to include all modes of representation - print, electronic and sound materials in order Enhance Library Funding to ensure all sorts of user satisfaction. Finally, Funding is crucial to the development of Vietnamese public libraries should act as the library and its services; it is a sine qua public institutions of last resort and provide non of performance. Ho Chi Minh City support for people in distress and in time of (HCMC), for example has 24 district libraries emergencies. For example, in the US public and many university and college libraries but libraries are important focal points in the lack of funding and poor management have aftermath of hurricanes and flooding. strained the library system. Most librarians are concerned that, with shortages in new books Training Librarians (Especially School and periodicals, they can no longer attract Librarians) young readers, particularly students who The role of librarians is currently changing carry a heavy load of lessons and homework from being that of “keeper of books” to (Vietnam news, 2012). Therefore, the “information specialist”. Librarians in Vietnam Vietnamese government has to improve funds however tend to focus only on those people who that should be earmarked for establishing, specifically request their services, rather than equipping and maintaining libraries (public pro-actively reach out to the general public. In libraries included). Sufficient funds should addition, though many Vietnamese librarians be provided to acquire adequate, current and are well-trained in library sciences, they are relevant library materials – books, magazines, not skilled enough to relate to their clients and charts, transparencies; photographic slides, and reach out to new groups in the community such computer instructional packages. A concerted as school droppers, pensioners, housewives, effort should be made by the appropriate the unemployed, household businesses, and supervisory body to monitor effective farmers (Hossain, 2012). Hence, to become a utilisation of funds allocated to libraries. master of information, providing necessary trainings to library personnel is a ‘must do’ Improve and Extend Public Library Services task for Vietnam. The MoET and MoCST of Public libraries uniquely provide support Vietnam should focus and work on this issue for lifelong learning from early childhood collaboratively. throughout adult life. Public libraries have been described as ‘the umbrella institution Encouragement of Library Usage of the learning society’ and “the people’s Teachers should encourage maximum use of university”. Public libraries offer key arenas of the library and its resources by giving pupils/ galvanising children’s socio-cultural expressions students assignments/projects that would and expectations of the future. They have necessitate frequent visits to the library. Such also always provided support to schools and assignments/projects must be practical. They students within the formal educational system may entail reading a novel and summarising

60 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 What Vietnam should do to engage libraries in promoting reading habits it, or using the library resources to solve an collaborating with non-government and non- environmental problem and so forth. profit organizations (NGO/NPO) and public libraries (Hossain, 2012). Library-based Adult and Family Literacy Programmes Introduction to new forms of Libraries For various reasons, libraries are the perfect Human beings, however, are instinctively place to provide adult and family literacy keen on novelty. These days’ teenagers classes with service oriented opening hours perpetually scan screens for something new. and approachable staff. They ideally have For that reason, launching new forms of easy access to all the resources needed to run libraries would be a wonderful initiative to an adult to family literacy programme. Most fulfil the demands of the novelty-hunter young of them can provide space for students and generation especially in developing countries tutors. They are usually centrally located and like Vietnam, to enhance reading habits and to accessible by public transport. In Vietnam, for create lifelong learners: instance over 86,000 students quit school during • The Toy Library is a service that provides the September-December (2012) semester, access to a collection of play materials according to a recent MoET report. They can including toys, games, puzzles, activities, be invited to the library to enjoy reading and educational aids and general play non-reading activities alike, such as lectures, equipment. Toy Libraries promote active movies or discussion groups to facilitate their learning as children learn through play first step back into learning. The library can by imitating, exploring, and inventing also help to overcome the problem of gender (creating), solving mini-problems and co- differences in reading acquisition by interesting operating. Vietnam Toy Library, the first reading material in the areas of sports, science, community public library began in Hoi politics or Do-It-Yourself manuals and so on. An province by Aid for Kid with support from the local government in 2007 and Streamlining Mobile Library Services since then it has offered books and other Promotion of reading habits should not be non-book materials to children in the area confined to students in the classroom or the and the general public (Hossain, 2012). physical library alone. Rather, consideration and extension of library services should be • The Leisure Library is a service that given to children and youth who, for one focuses on recreational activities and reason or another, are out of the normal games for adults, especially for disabled school or library environment. This can be adults, those from disadvantaged done through a mobile library service, a backgrounds that have never known the formidable service provided by the public joy of play materials, people in prison and libraries throughout the world. In Vietnam, the elderly. The youth can also benefit for instance, the Singapore International – leisure libraries provide interesting and Foundation for a Better World and The HCMC challenging activities that can positively Book Distribution Company (Fahasa) have counteract negative symptoms of already started this journey, hence it is a good boredom such as drug and alcohol abuse, time to streamline this kind of library activity crime and sexual abuse.

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 61 What Vietnam should do to engage libraries inpromoting reading habits

• The Park Library would be most quiet! Making bus and railway stops more popular in Vietnam and the government inviting, the Vietnam government may should encourage this initiative as most think to create small bus and railway stop Vietnamese people love to visit and in libraries where people can choose a book fact spend a number of hours a day in to read and drop it off at the next stop. parks regardless of their age and status Israel and Brazil are examples, where they i.e. students, teachers, young or old. Hue are apparently doing this sort of thing to City for example offers free book reading promote literacy. How cool is that? in parks. Every weekend, members of the group will display more than 500 books Library Involvement with Private Sectors arranged in groups such as education, Besides government action, efforts should psychology, economics, skills and novels come from private sectors, specially non- together with many different types of government, non-profit organisations and large newspapers and magazines arranged by national or multi-national companies that can a charity group named Bup Sen Hong play a significant role to improve and enhance (Pink Lotus). library activities and services i.e. providing library materials and train librarians through • The Coffee House Library activity is their corporate social responsibilities (CSR). not a new concept in Vietnam. Having a In this regard, the NGO’s/NPO’s especially coffee while reading a book at a nearby international NGO’s/NPO’s, can greatly café would be wonderful. In fact coffee contribute to develop a standard library policy houses are one the favourite places of in collaboration with the MoCST, MoET and Vietnamese students and young couples the Library Associations of Vietnam. where they spend a couple of hours each day. The Hub Café in HCMC for example, Moreover, government should encourage stacked with more than 10,000 book and team up with large INGO’s/INPO’s. In titles on topics ranging from philosophy, addition, the concerned authority should create history, fiction and reference books in some pre-conditional frameworks for the Vietnamese as well as foreign languages, NGOs/NPOs nationally or internationally i.e. including English. Besides HCMC in they should work more or less for educational Hanoi and Hue city also have a number development so at least one project for each of coffee house libraries, but still the is related to the development of library and quantity is very few. In order to increase librarianship activities throughout the country reading habits and provide reading with (Hossain, 2012). pleasure it’s a demand of time to boost up coffee house library activities in Vietnam Excursions to Libraries and Exhibitions regardless of urban or rural arenas. Schools where there are no libraries can be taken on excursions to libraries in other schools. • The Bus/Railway Stoppage Library is a They can also be taken to book exhibitions/ particularly new idea in Asian libraryies. fairs. During such visits, children would be Imagine a library where there are no due introduced to the library and its resources. dates and no librarians telling you to be They will also be educated in the importance

62 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 What Vietnam should do to engage libraries inpromoting reading habits of books and reading to their education and information networks have a pivotal role to future lives. play in human progress by preserving and serving knowledge and information across Besides, the aforesaid strategies the frontiers. But the library cluster is only one subsequent issues are also considered as player or stakeholder in reader development, essential as the above mentioned urgent issues the importance of building partnerships with in order to empower the Vietnamese libraries to other interested sectors is also crucial. There promote reading habits and lifelong learners: is a need to form alliances with all those who promote reading or reap the benefits of a • Reader Development Policy (RDP) literate population. • Reforming Education Policy (REP) • Strengthening Vietnam Library Cited works: Association Hossain, Z. (2013). An Analytical Study of Some • Rising parent’s awareness NGOs’/NPOs’ Contributions by promoting Library • Banning and tightening violence online/ Activities at Disadvantageous Areas in Vietnam to Create offline games Potential and Lifelong Learners. Library Philosophy and • Ensuring availability and accessibility of Practice (e-journal).http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ relevant books libphilprac/864/ • Escalating local publishing industry Viet Nam News (the National English Language • Co-operating with International Libraries daily) http://vietnamnews.vn • Organising National Reading Week • Involving Mass Media Acronyms: MoET= Ministry of Education and Training In essence, education, information literacy MoCST= Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and lifelong learning are the three pillars for putting knowledge to work. Libraries and

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Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 63 Ancient Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures and Collections in China by Delger*

Mongolian Buddhism was adopted from same thing happened in Mongolia during the Tibetan Buddhism and much of its recent socialist cultural movements in the early 20th characteristics from Tibetan Buddhism of the century. Gelugpa School. As early as the 14th and 15th According to Catalogue of Mongolian centuries, the Mongol emperors of the Great Ancient Books and Documents of China, there Mongol Yuan Empire had already converted to are over 17,000 items of Mongolian rare books Tibetan Buddhism, but it had not yet become preserved in Inner Mongolia and other parts a national religion at that time. In the 16th of China, over 60% of them are Buddhist century, at the period of Altan Khan, the Yellow scriptures, dating from 13th century to the late Sect of Tibetan Buddhism spread throughout 19th century. Mongolia, and Buddhist monasteries were built across Mongolia, both in Inner Mongolia Chronicle Description on Ancient Mongolian and Outer Mongolia later. After Buddhism Buddhist Scripture Translations was adopted in Mongolia, over two thousand monasteries were built. Most of them had 1. The Great Mongol Yuan Empire or Yuan printing houses and libraries. The Ancient Dynasty (1271-1368) Mongolian Buddhist scriptures have been In 1246, the great Tibetan Buddhist Lama Saja preserved in these monasteries and libraries Bandida Gunggajalsan (1182-1251) was invited or in private libraries. Unfortunately, a lot of by Prince Gudan Noyan (the second son of ancient Mongolian Buddhist scriptures have Emperor Ogedei ) to Liangzhou (located in the been lost in the long run of nomadic life, war Gansu Province today); he preached Buddhism and political movements. After the founding to Mongolian royal family and aristocrats. of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in 1947, and the establishment of the People’s In 1237, the government of the Great Yuan Republic of China in 1949, the most part of Mongol Empire established Sudur Bichig- these collections have been collected and un Huriyeleng (Institute of Archives and preserved in public libraries or in the Ancient Documents), and in 1264, Yuan Ulus-un Teuhe Books Office of the Committee of Nationalities Johiyahu Huriyeleng (Institute of Yuan Empire Affaires. Unfortunately, most of them were History) in Khan Balgasu (Beijing). There burnt or destroyed during the ten years of were 453 staff, among them, 108 Mongolian disturbance of the Cultural Revolution. The Bichigechi (bookmen), 34 Mongolian Hagulugchi (transcriptor) and 204 translators of history. *Delger is Senior Research Thus the Buddhist scripture translation into Librarian (Professor); Director, the Mongolian language started officially. Mongolian Studies Section; Digitizing Team, Library of There were three great Buddhist scholars of Inner Mongolia University, the Yuan Empire in history, namely Choijiodzar, People’s Republic of China. Shirebsengge and Barazanashiri. Main work and Research: China Minority Library 1. Choijiodzar, during the period of Oljeitu Science, Mongolian books digitizing and Mongolian Khan (1295-1307) and Ayurbalbad Buyantu Literature Studies. email: [email protected] Khan (1312-1320), was translating and

64 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Ancient Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures

compiling Buddhist scriptures into Teacher) to the Tibetan Buddhism leader, Mongolian in Daidu (Beijing). He finished which his successors still hold. In the following Hutugtu Manshuriri-yin ner-e-yi uneker century the Yellow Sect spread throughout ugulehui, from Tibetan into Mongolian; Mongolia. The Sutra translation recovered Buvadhi Saduva-yin yabudul-dur oruhui again and development of Buddhism came neretu sastir, from Sanskrit into Mongolian; to its most prosperous stage in Mongolia; and also translated many other scriptures Altan Khan and his successors, helped and as Banzaragcha; supported the translation and printing of a 2. Shirebsengge, during the period of great many sutras into Mongolian. Among the Esentemur Khan (1324-1328), translated scholars, Shiregetu Gushi and Ayushi Gushi were Banzaragcha and Altangerel into Mongolian, most famous, two of them were organised referred with its Sanskrit, Uygur and and did the first whole translation of Ganjuur Chinese manuscripts; (tripitica) into Mongolian in 1602-1607 and the 3. Barazanashiri, during the period of second whole translation of Ganjuur, by the Oljeitu Khan and Togtemur Jayagatu Khan order of Ligdan Khan (1592-1634), organised by (1328-1332), translated Dolugan Ebugen Gunggaodzar and Samdansengge and translated Neretu Odon-u Sudur from Chinese into and hand written in golden ink, 113 volumes, Mongolian and printed 2,000 xylographic called Golden Ganjuur; in 1638. copies in 1328. He also translated other Buddhist scriptures as Samadi-yin Sudur 3. The Period of the Qing Empire (1636-1912) (from Chinese) and Sedhishi Ugei Samadi- The Manchu governors, in order to control yin Sudur (from Tibetan). These three Mongols by religious methods with political scholars and translators made the first intrigue, greatly supported Buddhism in basic translations of Buddhist scriptures Mongol areas, based in Beijing, the Buddhist into Mongolian. scripture translation work in Mongolian was much more prosperous in this period. The 2. The Period of Northern Yuan Empire (1368- Buddhist scriptures that had been translated 1634) into Mongolian at the periods of the Great Due to the clamp downs of the Great Yuan Empire and the Northern Yuan Empire Yuan Empire, Mongol Emperors and the were printed (as much as had been found and royal family moved to their homeland and collected), and the Ganjuur and Danjuur were more disturbances occurred, the Buddhist published whole in xylograph. scripture translation had stopped in the early two hundred years of this era (1348-1548), The Mongolian Ganjuur of 1720: By the hence this period called “the Dark Period for order of Kangxi Emperor (1654-1722), at Buddhist Scripture” in history. the suggestion of Shiri Beile, Jambarashi Beise and Rashi, the manuscripts of Ligdan Khan’s Altan Khan (1507-1581), a Mongol king Golden Ganjuur with the Tibetan Ganjuur of from the Golden Family, invited Sonam Gyatso Beijing Xylograph of 1683, were translated. 1543–1588), the head of the rising Yellow Sect Proofreading: Chorji Lubsangchuldum, chief of Tibetan Buddhism to a summit. Altan Khan Lama, Da Lama Ganjurba Lubsangchuldum, both gave the title of Dalai Lama (Ocean Knowledge from Dulugan Nagur Monastery; Shiri Beile

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from Sunid, and Demchug Gung from Abag-a The contents of the Mongolian Ganjuur of were in charge of the proofreading work in 1720: It is a whole collection of contents of the Huhe Monastery of Dolugan Nagur, started in Gajuur, it consists of 25 volumes of Dandar-a, 1717. Printing: the works of writing for blocks, 12 volumes of Yum, 4 volumes of Horin Tabun cutting blocks for printing, proofreading of Minggatu, 6 volumes of Arban Naiman Minggatu writing for blocks and printing were made (including Tumen Shilugtu 1 volume, Naiman in Song Zhu Si Temple of Beijing, from 1717- Minggatu 1 volume and Eldeb Bilig Bramid 1720, number of the people attending rose to 1 volume), 6 volumes of Erdeni Dabhurlig, 6 over 200, and consisted of Living Buddhas volumes of Olanghi, 33 volumes of Eldeb, and or Hutugtu, Rabjamba, Lobon, Gushi, Gelung, 16 volumes of Gdulu-a, and is classified into Gesul, governors; Gong, Beile and Beise from two big categories of Dandr-a (25 volumes) and different Banners. The translation was finished Sutra (83 volumes counted from the Yum). in 1720 and published with cinnabar ink and xylograph, hence called Shinghun Bar-un There are 756 Buddha colour portraits in Ganjuur in Mongolian. Ganjuur of 1720, all of them are painted with treasury ink made from gold, silver, coral, The Mongolian Ganjuur of 1720 has 108 pearl, turquoise, Nomin, Labai, Gang, copper, volumes and one additional catalogue volume cinnabar and other precious minerals. in Tibetan, Mongolian, Manchu and Chinese; block size 17 x 59cm; it has over 30,000,000 The Mongolian Danjuur of 1749: By the words in total. There are six different copies of order of Emperor Qian Long (1711-1799) in this Edition in China: Ganjuur in The Library 1741 Living Buddhas or Hutugtus, scholars and of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, translators from Outer Mongolia and Inner from Hundelen Monastery, the Urad Middle Mongolia, leading Lamas from the Tibetan Banner, in 1956; Ganjuur in the Library of Inner and Mongolian Monasteries in Beijing, Lobon Mongolia University Library, from Chagan or teachers from Tibetan Mongolian School of Agula Monastery, Chahar, in 1959; Ganjuur in Beijing, were gathered in Beijing and formed the the China Nationalities Palace Library, from Danjuur Translating Team; the team organised the Baragun Monastery, Bagarin Right Banner, and headed by Jangja Hutugtu Rolbidorji and in 1956; Ganjuur in the China National Library, Altan Shiregetu Lobsangdambinim-a. The team from Altan Buse Monastery, Urad Middle consisted of over 200 scholars and translators; Banner, in 1961; Ganjuur in the Library of Jangja Hutugtu Rolbidorji (1717-1786), compiled Inner Mongolian Social Science Academy; a special Tibetan Mongolian Dictionary of Ganjuur in Potala Palace, collected since Qing Merged Garhu-yin Oron Neretu Togtagagsan Dynasty. There are only three different copies Bichig, especially for the great translation, with in the other countries, a Ganjuur of 1720 in the the help of Altan Shiregetu Lobsangdambinim-a National Library of Mongolia; a Ganjuur in (1689-1762) and other scholars, published in Harvard University Library; and an electrostatic 1742. copy in India. Translation work: The translation of the Danjuur was begun in 1742, the Block Print Beijing Edition of Tibetan Danjuur of 1724 was

66 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Ancient Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures used as the original text, finished in 1749 and Classification and Contents of the Mongolian published in the same year, with cinnabar ink Buddhist Scriptures and xylograph, hence it was called Shinghun According to indexes of the Catalogue of Bar-un Danjuur in Mongolian. This edition Ancient Mongolian Books and Documents of has 225 volumes, with an additional catalogue China (1999), (not including Ancient Mongolian volume, block print size 17 x 59cm, 108,016 x 2 Buddhist scripture collections in Mongolia), pages and over 50,000,000 words in total. There there are 14 categories of contents in Mongolian are only three items left in the world: Danjuur Buddhist scriptures which were collected in the Library of Inner Mongolian Autonomous mostly in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, from the Qindamani Monastery, Jalaid Region and some of them are preserved in Banner, Hulun Boir League in 1958; Danjuur in other provinces of China (the sutra titles and the Library of Inner Mongolian Social Sciences personal names and Buddhist terms, in italics, Academy, from Hayanggiru-a Monastery, are given in Mongolian), such as: Shangdu Aduguchin Banner in 1958; Danjuur in 1. Ganjuur (Original work collections of the National Library of Mongolia, from Sechen Shagjamuni in Tripitika); Wang Nayantu, Sain Khan Noyan Province; and 2. Danjuur (commentaries on Shagjamuni’s an electrostatic copy in India. works in Tripitika); 3. Sumbum (Collections of Works); The contents of Mongolian Danjuur of 4. Belge Chinar-un Aimaig (Class of the 1749: the concepts are classified into three Exotoric Buddhism); categories, such as Magtagal-un Chigulgan 5. Bodi Mor-un Jerge (the Stages of the Path (Collection of the Praise), Dandar-a-yin Tailburi to Enlightenment ); (Explanations to the Dandar-a) and Sudur- 6. Dandar-un Aimag (Class of Tantra); un Tailburi (Explanations to the Sutra). There 7. Sang-un Nom ba Tagalal Tailburi (Terma is one volume of the Magtagal-un Chigulgan Explanatory); which consists of 63 articles, 86 volumes of the 8. Sudur Tarni-yin Eldeb Jang Uile (Principles Dandar-a-yin Tailburi which consists of 3,017 and Rituals of the Esoteric and Exotoric articles and 136 volumes of the Sudur-un Tailburi Buddhism); which consists of 781 articles. In total, there are 9. Burhan Shanshin-u Uhagulg-a (Buddhist 3,861 articles in the Mongolian Danjuur. There Propagandas); are 1,120 Buddha colour portraits in Danjuur of 10. BURHANBurhan Shashin-u Teuhe (History 1749, all of them are painted with treasury ink of Buddhism); as same as the Ganjuur’s. 11. Namtar Chedeg (Biographies); 12. History of Buddhist Monasteries and As for the later Mongolian Buddhist Famous Places; scriptures, independent sutras, most of them 13. Principles of Buddhist Monasteries; were derived, developed or separately copied 14. Others. These contents of Mongolian from the different editions of these Ganjuur Buddhist scriptures cover all categories and Danjuur collections. and contents of Buddhism and there are a lot of great works of Mongolian Lamas also collected into those Mongolian Buddhist scriptures.

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The Physical Carrier Description of 59cm; 16.8 x 59.4cm; 15 x 65.5cm; 14.7 x Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures 51.2cm; 13.5 x 46cm; 12.7 x 45.8cm; 11.3 x 46.5cm; 10 x 55.4cm; 9.5 x 35.5cm; 8.7 1. Date: The Great Mongol Yuan Empire x 28.7cm; 7.4 x 31.2cm; 6 x 21cm; 5.2 x 1271-1368; the Northern Mongol Yuan 27.2cm; 4.3 x 28.6cm. Empire (Ming Dynasty to Early Qing Dynasty) 1368-1634 ; the Great Qing 8. Sutra decorations: Empire (Qing Dynasty) 1636-1912. 1. Cover: about 1 - 0.5cm thick wooden 2. Languages: Most of the ancient Mongolian board front and back covers, some Buddhist scriptures were written in of them are decorated with precious Uygurjin or classic Mongolian combined stones or gold and silver plates, some of with Mongolian Ali Gali Phonetic them curved, or painted with Buddha Sytem, a few in Todo Mongolian, few in portraits and golden ink titles. Mongolian Square Script, Soyonbo Script, 2. Spines or backs: some of them are and Vagindar-a Script; Some scriptures painted with Buddhist designs of were written in Mongolian-Tibetan, or cinnabar ink or some precious mineral Sanskrit-Mongolian, Mongolian-Tibetan- ink, around their four sides. Chinese, and Mongolian-Tibetan-Chinese- 3. Inside: cinnabar or black ink Buddha Manchu. portraits on two sides of the first page 3. Ink: treasury ink made from gold, silver, and the last page, some were printed, coral, pearl, turquoise, Nomin, Labai, Gang, and some were hand-painted; some copper , cinnabar; common ink of black sutra were written with red ink and ink, red ink, blue ink etc. black ink in intervals; some sutras were 4. Editions: manuscripts (written with printed with chromo-xylograph. bamboo pen, wooden pen, bone pen 4. Sutra binding: most of them have and brush), xylograph or block print, ancient Sanskrit style boundings, folios lithography of rare books, unique copies of unbound sheets (loose-leaves), shorter and sample copies or common copies. in height, longer in length, some are in 5. Most Popular Xylographs: Chagan Agula folded pages; the sheets are clipped Sum-e Block Print, Beijing Block Print, with the plywood covers from the two Halh-a Block Print, Buriyad Block Print. sides, and then tied up with two leather 6. Sutra Paper: gold plate, silver plate, ties by the two sides; some leather ties handmade white paper, thick yellowish are designed with special buttons; and paper, white pink paper, yellow paper, then put into a square cloth-binding and blue paper with black background, black packed; the package cloth usually has paper (papers are popular among them). two colours, dark red and yellow, the 7. Sutra Size: block size or edition frame size yellow ones are most popular; there are of 32. x 88cm; 31.7 x 41cm; 27. x 27.3cm; some miniature editions of pamphlets 26 x 28cm; 25 x 25cm; 24.5 x 71cm; 23.5 and pocket books, too. x 26.9cm; 22 x 50cm; 21 x 21cm; 20.6 x 29.2cm; 19 x 26.4cm; 18.8 x 60.3cm; 17 x

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Eight Big Collections of Mongolian Buddhist Province, Shaanxi Province, Taiwan, and Scriptures in Inner Mongolia and China private libraries of these areas. Between 1993 and 2003, the eight member 2. Inner Mongolian Teacher’s University libraries, (which have eight big collections Library: wrote 2,138 entries and of ancient Mongolian Buddhist scriptures descriptions, of which 1,360 entries from in China), editorial board of the Catalogue of Inner Mongolian Teacher’s University Ancient Mongolian Books and Documents of China, Library and a few from college collections, Catalogue of Mongolian Ganjuur and Danjuur, had over 1,360 of them are Buddhist investigated over 100 public libraries, academic scriptures, representing about 80% of the libraries, ancient books offices and private total collection; 513 entries from the work libraries of Inner Mongolian cities and visited division areas of the Hulun Boir League the other provinces and minority autonomous (Hulun Boir Municipality ), the Hinggan regions of China. They figured out the general League, the Chichhar City, the Shilingol preservation amount of ancient Mongolian League of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Buddhist Scriptures and rare books. Region, Tibetan Autonomous Region and private libraries of these areas. According to the investigations, they 3. The Library of Inner Mongolian discovered 17,218 ancient Mongolian books. Autonomous Region: wrote 2,214 entries There are four libraries with ancient Mongolian and descriptions, of which 2,100 entries book collections of over 1,000 items; four from the Library of Inner Mongolian libraries collections over 100 - 1,000 items; and Autonomous Region, over 600 of them over 100 libraries, offices and private libraries are Buddhist scriptures, representing collections of under 100 items. This statistic about 40% of the total collection; 114 might have some leaks, but it can show entries from the work division areas of the general preservation amount of ancient the Bayannagur League, the Bugutu City Mongolian books in China. 60% or more of of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, these are Buddhist scriptures. Gansu Province and private libraries of these areas. The following is the statistics from these eight 4. The Library of the Social Sciences libraries (not including indentical copies): Academy of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region: wrote 6,772 1. Inner Mongolia University Library: entries and descriptions, of which 6,280 wrote 2,857 entries and descriptions, of entries from the Library of the Social which 1,542 entries from Inner Mongolia Sciences Academy of Inner Mongolian University Library and a few from college Autonomous Region, over 1,500 of them collections, over 500 of them are Buddhist are Buddhist scriptures, representing scriptures, representing about 50% of about 30% of the total collection; 492 the total collection; 1,314 entries from entries from the work division areas of the work division areas of the Huhhot the Alagsha League of Inner Mongolian City, the Ulaganchab League, the Juu Uda Autonomous Region, Ningxia Province League (Chifeng Municipality) of Inner and private libraries of these areas. Mongolian Autonomous Region, Qinghai

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5. Inner Mongolian Nationalities 8. Inner Mongolian Nationalities University Library: wrote 733 entries University Library: wrote 217 entries and and descriptions, of which 215 entries descriptions, of which 144 entries from from the Inner Mongolian Nationalities Inner Mongolian Nationalities University University Library and a few from college Library and college collections, and about collections, over 184 of them are Buddhist 50% of the total collection are Buddhist scriptures, representing about 80% of scriptures; 73 entries from the work the total collection; 549 entries from the division areas of Beijing City, Tibetan work division areas of the Jirim League Autonomous Region and private libraries (Tongliao Municipality) of Inner Mongolian of these areas. Autonomous Region, Liaoning Province, Jilin Province and private libraries of Bibliography these areas. 1. Catalogue of Mongolian Ancient Books and 6. China National Library: wrote 1,731 Documents of China, 3 volumes, by Urinhirag- entries and descriptions, of which 845 a and Delger and the Editorial Board, Beijing entries from China National Library, Library Press, December 1999 representing about 30% of the total 2. Catalogue of Mongolian Ganjuur and Danjuur, collection are Buddhist scriptures; 886 2 volumes, by Urinhirag-a and Delger and entries from the work division areas of the Editorial Board, the Yuanfang Publishing Beijing City, Tianjin City, Yinchuan City, House of Inner Mongolia, September 2003 Nanjing City, Chongqing City, Shanghai 3. Minority Documents Utilization and Digital City, Anhui Province, Zhejiang Province, Management, by Delger, Chinese Edition, Inner Jiangxi Province, Fujian Province, Mongolia Educational Press, March 2007 Guangdong Province, Hubei Province, 4. A Brief Introduction to the Catalogue of Mongolian Hunan Province, Shandong Province, Ancient Books of China and Statistics on the Shanxi Province, Henan Province, Mongolian Ancient Books, by Delger, 1998 Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, (additional version), Journal of China Library Ningxia Province and Guangxi Zhuag Science Autonomous Region and private libraries 5. The Golden Tripitaka (Ganjuur) Was Commissioned of these areas. by Ligden Khan and Ligden’s Contributions to 7. Central Nationalities University Library: Mongolian Culture, by Delger, Journal of Inner wrote 550 entries and descriptions, Mongolia University (Mongolian Edition), No. of which 108 entries from the Inner 4 /2010 Mongolian Nationalities University 6. A Brief Introduction to Mongolian Buddhist Library and a few from college collections, Scriptures and Collections in China, by Delger, about 50% of the total collection are talks given in British Universities or Academies, Buddhist scriptures; 291 entries from in 2011-2012 the work division areas of Beijing City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region and private libraries of these areas.

70 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 EUROLIS Seminar: Metamorphosis – Multi-Purpose Library, 22 November 2012, Instituto Cervantes, London: a Report by Amanda Riddick*

EUROLIS1 is a network of libraries and librarians working across Europe, based in cultural institutes in London, to promote their respective languages and literatures. The organisation sometimes works closely with IFLA, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and annually produces Eurotoolbox, a resource which promotes children’s books from the participating countries to encourage cultural Eurolis Seminar delegates left to right: Olaf Eigenbrodt, exchange and reading at an early age. Karen Latimer, Mr Julio Crespo MacLennan, Mayte Azorin, Alfonso Munoz Cosme The seminar Metamorphosis – Multi-Purpose Library on 22 November 2012 addressed the and communication he addressed the need for issue of the use of space in libraries across libraries to move away from the traditional Europe. Multi-purpose libraries were a static space with a systematic order towards main focus, but other topics included the re- something social, hybrid and dynamic. Olaf generation of buildings, and changing human examined both libraries’ potential multiple perceptions of and attitudes towards libraries, functions and their interpretations through in terms of both the spaces themselves and the interior design and furniture. For instance, services offered in those spaces. The speakers in Dubai a library will open in a mall to and delegates at this seminar came from become part of the consumer’s shopping several countries across Europe, including experience, but a library could also be a living Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Portugal and room – illustrated by a slide of a library in from Israel and the USA. Atlanta, USA, featuring a ‘home-like’ fireplace – a tourist information centre, or a landmark. After an introduction by the Director of Internal spaces and resources could be the Instituto Cervantes, Mr Julio Crespo changed whether by arranging ‘book islands’ MacLennan, and Head Librarian at the Instituto with rounded shelves sheltering seats inside, as Cervantes, María Teresa Azorín-Albiñana opposed to linear shelves and separate seating, López, the proceedings were kicked off by or RFID installed in the library’s tables. Olaf Eigenbrodt, Senior Head of User Services and Advisor for Planning and Construction at The next presentation was given by Karen State and University Library Hamburg, and Latimer, currently the Agri-Food & Biosciences also this conference’s Chair. In his presentation Insititute, Medical and Healthcare Librarian and Envisioning the fluid library: multi-faceted formerly Architecture and Planning Librarian community space for information, networking, at Queen’s University, Belfast, as well as Chair of the UK Designing Libraries Advisory Board, *Amanda Riddick is a Library Assistant in Islington LIBER Architecture Member Group member, Libraries and MA student of Library and Information and a past Chair of the IFLA Library Buildings Studies at University College London & Equipment Standing Committee.

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Adapting to Austerity: Library Design in Challenging Times was sure to resound with all delegates as Karen addressed the problem of meeting the demand for attractive and welcoming spaces at a time of severe financial pressures on library services in the UK and abroad. Karen’s alternative suggestions included recycling and re-using spaces and materials – showing us among other things a former Marie-Francoise Bisbrouk phone box now used as a miniscule library as a great example – as well as successful multi- older buildings, he showed us many examples, use projects, such as: from churches and even monastic libraries to more recent places such as Cambridge • Thurles Arts Centre and Library, and University’s Law Faculty Library, or the the Tubbercurry civic offices and library, Netherlands’ Book Mountain, which has picked Ireland; up on the theme of a barn. However, Alfonso • the Hive in Worcester, England, a hub also proffered the thought-provoking idea that shared by the university and public the library should be regarded as neither a libraries and local authority offices; specific building nor a collection of books, but • Clapham public library in London foremost as a service. He proposed a library occupying a space created through a modelled on the Greek or Roman forum, public-private partnership that also offers where the ideas, thoughts and social exchanges a health centre and housing. matter far more than the actual space.

However, Karen also pointed out some Lunch was appropriately Spanish, with potential obstacles: not just the lack of funding, a beautiful spread of tapas – meats, cheeses but also a misguided focus to create iconic and fruit – offering a delicious change from rather than sustainable buildings, architects the standard sandwich platter. Of course, becoming stuck in a design rut, and reluctance the break also offered great opportunities for by library staff to become involved. networking! In addition, delegates were able to visit the library of the Instituto Cervantes, The third speaker, Alfonso Muñoz Cosme, with an impressively sizable collection, neatly holds a PhD in Architecture from the ordered on 10 foot-high shelves. Polytechnic University in Valencia and is currently Professor at Madrid Polytechnic The afternoon’s first speaker was Marie- University as well as Director of the Spanish Françoise Bisbrouck, a long-term curator, institute for Cultural Heritage and a prolific teacher, author and consultant on the subject of researcher and author of books on architecture, architecture and spatial planning of libraries who libraries, museums and heritage. In Libraries has worked for and with the French Ministry in the new society Alfonso discussed the need of Culture, the French Ministry of Higher for new library spaces in a new society: an Education and Research, the Médiathèque de enthusiastic supporter of re-using or extending la Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie à Paris,

72 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 EUROLIS Seminar: Metamorphosis the Paris-Sorbonne University libraries, the Network Agency, where she co-ordinates Association of European Research Libraries projects between school libraries and public and IFLA, amongst others. The Librarian, the libraries, such as the National Reading Plan and Politician and the Architect: the Evolution of others. However, the issue Ana Bela addressed Library Buildings in France from the 60’s to the was not specifically educational. Instead, she Present Day touched on a variety of issues that talked about the problem of approaching the could be seen as specific to France but are population of northern Portugal for whom even actually recognisable anywhere. For instance, in the concept of a library is something relatively discussing the problem of assessing the value new, and how a mobile library service is making of public libraries, Marie-Françoise questioned a difference not just in terms of literacy but in the usefulness of public surveys given that the fighting social exclusion in one of Portugal’s results depend entirely on who answers – a most economically deprived areas. problem faced by librarians across the world. Other issues included having to persuade the I was not able to stay for the concluding politicians of the value of public as well as panel discussion, but it was a stimulating university libraries, and promoting the image seminar, offering a range of perspectives on of public libraries as a welcoming space but, how libraries are and could be using spaces, unlike in other countries, not as a home from both internally and externally, and re-inforcing home. Indeed, the latter concept has met with the importance of exchange of ideas that some criticism from the French public, many of reaches across borders. whom insist that a café, sofas or Playstations do not belong in a library. Thanks must go to Julio Crespo MacLennan, Mayte Azorin and all the staff at the Instituto The theme of dealing with capturing hard-to- Cervantes London for organising such an reach audiences was also taken up by Ana Bela interesting and successful day. Pereira Martins in Public libraries: Knowledge, Culture and Citizenship. Ana has a strong As a library assistant in public libraries and background in libraries and education, and has MA student of Library and Information Studies worked as teacher and librarian at a secondary at University College London, I am always school and the Library and Historic Archives of looking for opportunities to find out more the Court of Auditors of Portugal. She is now about the various issues around libraries, and adviser for the Portuguese School Libraries to consider how I might further develop my career in librarianship. In addition, although I am not qualified in architecture or design, I have always been interested in these fields, in particular their social aspect. I therefore attended this seminar as it seemed an ideal event for combining my professional and personal interests.

1More details about Eurolis are available at http://eurolis. Ana Bela Pereira Martins wordpress.com/about-us/

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 73 Book Review Pateman, John and Williment, Ken. Developing Community-Led Public Libraries: Evidence from the UK and Canada. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2013. ISBN 9781409442066.243 pages. £45.00

Developing Community-Led Public Libraries: Most of the arguments made regarding Evidence from the UK and Canada aims to provision are hinged around conclusions of the present key messages from the findings of the Open to All? project, which is presented as a UK-based Open to All? report (2000) and the project of great influence. Arguably, however, the Canada-based Working Together Project (2008). claimed impact of the report might be overstated. It offers a “blueprint and a road map” (p.22) The reports published by the government and for community-led, needs-based, public library agencies in the years following Open to All?’s services. Using their experiences in the UK and publication was likely not the result of the report Canada, working on developing community-led alone; a number of factors influenced the reports, services, the authors aim to provide advice for including the government of the time’s increased practitioners, but presumably have the additional focus on social exclusion as part of national goal of educating future librarians in library policy. The bulk of the report’s claimed impact policy, research and best practice. appears to have been reflected in policy rather than practice, which is a problem identified by The authors aim to provide: the authors and forms the basis of the book’s • A comparative analysis between the recommendations. approaches of Canada and the UK to developing community-led library services A number of the points raised in the ‘Helpful • An overview of public library policy and Hints’ passages reiterate opinions about how practice 2000-2012 with a focus on what a service should be run, which makes the has changed and what still needs to be heading of the sections quite misleading. changed Although the passages do contain some useful • A thorough analysis of each of the main practical advice for working with communities recommendations put forward by Open and internal management, they also present to All? and the learnings of the Working opinions about the ideal library ethos as fact; Together Project for example, stating that public libraries should • A call to action on nine key public library develop community information services to help policy areas (from community engagement people with issues relating to health, housing, to service standards and evaluation) in the family and legal matters (p.99), which would be light of public sector cuts and the threat of more appropriately presented as a concluding wide-scale public library closures. argument than a ‘hint’.

The book’s main argument is that libraries The presentation of issues regarding specific must meet the needs of their communities, so UK public library authorities is lacking an instead of focusing on libraries as a universal appropriate degree of context. For example, service, they should focus on members of society apparently Oxford and Surrey have discovered whose needs are greatest. These are socially that “simply dumping unwanted library buildings excluded people, as a result of poverty or other on communities is not the answer” (p.203). While social factors. Community-led approaches are this may well be the case, the argument lacks promoted as an effective method of developing validity without references. Similarly, threats services. faced by library authorities (p.203) and the view of one lobbyist (p.131) are given, but these are

74 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Book Review not representative of the up to date situation (at into the Canadian perspective. However, I would publication) and individuals/groups involved. urge readers to liberally apply critical thinking There is a focus on the 2009 Wirral Inquiry skills and question the comprehensiveness of (p.43-6) which is presented as a “quantum leap” the arguments presented, and certainly read the for UK public libraries, but although it has been original sources themselves. cited by campaigners it has been largely ignored by national government and certainly has not The title of the book suggested that it would had significant impact. The limited presentation be an evidence-based text offering advice to of events and discourse around public libraries develop community-led library services. While may reflect a lack of currency or awareness, both it does offer recommendations for practice, the of which are disappointing possibilities. text is not heavily evidence-based and empirical research about the impact and benefits of the Chapter Seven opens with a limited history methods used in the UK and Canada is not of public libraries in the UK, presenting the provided (although these are undisputedly very ‘old’ model as one of social control and the difficult to measure). ‘new’ model as one of social change, with an impassioned description of libraries and Although the text is progressive and definitely librarians during “the dark years of Margaret has a worthy aim, making assertions about the Thatcher” (p.127). The history appears to end at role of the public library service and the need 2005, and no mention is made of New Labour’s for librarians to be more politically aware (p.86), impact on public library provision. A number it is not theoretically grounded and therefore of comprehensive histories of public libraries lacks the critical dimension that would justify its have been written (for example Black 1996, 2000; rationale for its ideal vision of libraries. I would McMenemy 2009), but unfortunately these are be reluctant to recommend the text to students not referenced, and as a result the section is quite of library and information science owing to its unbalanced and reductive. limitations both in its academic dimension and its presentation of the discourse around public The lack of deep engagement with complex libraries. issues is echoed in discussions of the role of References and Recommended Reading the public library. Pateman appears not to have Black, A. (1996) A New History of the English Public dropped a four-year old spat with respected Library, Leicester: Leicester University Press. academic Bob Usherwood, and continues Black, A. (2000) The Public Library in Britain 1914-2000, to accuse him of elitism (p.126) despite this London: British Library. disagreement having been addressed several McMenemy, D. (2009) The Public Library, London: Facet years ago (SINTO, 2009). It is of concern that Publishing. some points seem to be presented without the SINTO (2009) “Presentations given at the SINTO Debate balance that would make the arguments more - Equity and excellence with Bob Usherwood and John intellectually honest. Pateman 29th January 2009” [Online] Available at: http:// extra.shu.ac.uk/sinto/Issues/Documents/Equity%20and The book may be of some practical use to public %20excellence.pdf [Accessed 24 April 2013]. librarians who want to improve their community Lauren Smith, PhD Research Student on critical involvement work because it contains some pedagogical theory and its application to librarianship at useful examples of how community-led work has University of Strathclyde Library, Glasgow, Scotland. been successful and gives an interesting insight Co-founder of Voices for the Library,

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 75 Norman Briggs BSc MA MCLIP

Norman Briggs died on 8 March 2013, three days before his 76th birthday on 11 March. His last two years had been challenging ones in which he had battled un-complainingly to colleagues and friends whilst enduring the treatment against the cancer which finally took him.

Norman’s life was a full and varied one in which the different strands of his life were passionately inter-woven. He is known to have started as a church organist from the age of 14 and there is a very recent memory amongst his library colleagues from the Commercial, Legal and Scientific Information Group (CLSIG) of CILIP, of his “expert and beautiful playing” in a performance on the “Father Willis’ organ in Reading Town Hall after a CILIP Forum later as a Captain of the Intelligence Corps meeting.This early aptitude remained with of the Territorial Army. He returned to active him long into his life when he was the organist service in the Falklands War and again served for two local churches in his home town of in Belize and Bosnia in the mid 1990’s as a Reading where he first moved in 1966. recent letter from him to the ILIG Journal, Focus, attests. He was also a keen Scout Master. In his youth, Norman developed a great The jocular speculation amongst friends and love for Russian history, the language and the family of whether he was actually a spy was country, and this became an evident specialism never confirmed - nor denied it seems, but his in his military career, his work in the field of service was clearly an honourable one since libraries as Managing Director of ILIAC UK he was awarded the Territorial Army’s (Silver) Ltd (established 1996), which existed to foster Decoration before retiring in 1998. relationships between Russia and America in the library and information sector and as a Norman qualified as a Member of the tutor of English as a second language, until Institute of Information Scientists in 1970 and very recently. Norman learnt to speak six combined this new skill with his scientific languages in total, highlighting his expert skills training by becoming an Information Services in communication which were also evident in Manager in agricultural research at the National his later library and information career. Institute for Research in Dairying (NIRD) where he developed computer-based current After school, Norman graduated with a awareness services and online searching as Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and early as 1976. Then in 1985 as Head of Library his early career was in the military service; as and Information Services of the successor a Russian specialist in the Military Intelligence organisation, the Institute of Food Research, Corps; as a Company Sergeant Major; and he introduced further computer-based services.

76 Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Norman Briggs BSc MA MCLIP

He became the first professional librarian of representing the Berks, Bucks and Oxon the Soviet Studies Research Centre in 1988, re- Branch and was involved in the re-organisation organising the library and again introducing to create the new South East England Branch. computer-based library systems, including for He served as an active member on the ILIG the regular army in Germany. Committee for several years as Treasurer and only passed this duty on in the last year in In 1994/95 Norman spent 3 months in the light of his failing health. British Embassy in Moscow where he was able to develop contacts with the principal Russian Norman also had another passion for national libraries and information centres and boating, making a canoe from a kit with a these formed the basis of his work with his friend before joining the Kennet and Avon company ILIAC organising visits, workshops Trust as far back as 1966, serving on the and conferences for Russian librarians in the Reading Branch Committee from 1969 and as UK. Norman gained his MA degree from a member of the Nelson Boat Owner’s Club the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies at Reading from 1978. He became the proud owner of University in 1998 while at the same time a narrow boat, the “Lancing” and founded his valuable experience in cataloguing and Kennet Cruises which he worked on with his acquisition led him to work part-time in the son Niall, operating moorings at Southcote and oil and gas industry between 1997 – 2002, for a hire boat cruiser called “Rosina Emma”. This the Information Centre of BG Group plc. was not a commercial enterprise; it was a work of love as he demonstrated in his generosity to Norman was a dedicated library and other boat owners over many years. information professional and contributed to the activities of several professional bodies during This generosity of spirit combined with a his career. He was a founder member of UK keen intelligence, close attention to detail and a Online User Group (UKOLUG) in 1976 and capacity for creating new opportunities was a was a prime mover in developing co-operation thread evident in all of Norman’s interests and amongst the libraries of the then Agricultural work it seems. The many people who attended & Food Research Service in the 1970’s and his funeral, for which he had prepared the 1980’s. He served on the committee of the music, the order of service and the refreshments Southern Branch of the Institute of Information including servings of his favourite beer, attested Services for several years including four years to that fact and he will be missed greatly but as Chairman. He joined CILIP with the merger none more than by his nearest and most dear of the Library Association and the IIS and family – his wife Jennifer, his son Niall and his was still an active member of CILIP Council daughter Hilary.

John Lake with the assistance of Norman’s colleagues and friends and family

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 77 News from Around the World

Ghana Malta IFLA’s Caterpillar Project goes from Strength Mike Freeman Awarded Malta Library Honour to Strength The Malta Library and Information The Presbyterian Church of Ghana Association (MALIA) at its annual general organised a pilot rural mobile library project meeting on February 22, 2013 bestowed in Ghana with the help of IFLA Caterpillar Honorary Life Membership on Dr Mike Project approximately three years ago. This Freeman in recognition of his constant and benefitted six communities which had some valuable support over the past decade. This challenges which needed prompt attention. is a rare honour and Dr Freeman is greatly Those challenges have been solved and the flattered and pleased to be awarded it. Mike Church have now rolled out the project to six is the Honorary International Relations Officer new communities bringing the number to 12 of the West Midlands Branch of CILIP – the communities benefitting from the project. It branch has established an informal link with is their vision to serve all the districts in the Malta and its librarians and this is proving next five years. The latest part of the project productive. attracted the attention of many in Ghana and benefitted many people in the communities, UK especially poor rural students thus increasing Travelling Librarian to Tour Australia’s Libraries the literacy rate in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Ahead of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games Africa. The most recent roll out of the project The English-Speaking Union (ESU) and The has been made possible by: Chartered Institute of Library and Information • International Book Project, Ghana who Professionals (CILIP) have announced Kirsten donated quantities of books McCormick as the recipient of this year’s • Unimax Macmillan who donated books Travelling Librarian Award. • Sam Woode Publishers who donated primary and JHS Course books The award, open to CILIP Members, • The Presbyterian Relief Services and builds the relationship between library and Development who constructed the information professions in the United Kingdom six cabinets at the cost of $650.00 and and their counterparts in the United States additional books at the cost of $820.00 and across the Commonwealth. The recipient completes a 2-3 week study tour to examine a There is still a need for more books and funds particular subject that is of professional interest, to expand the project to cover other deprived in order to share learning and good practice communities where the lack of access to library with colleagues at home and abroad. For the facilities challenges the educational standards first time in its history, UK librarians can apply of pupils/students and their involvement in the to visit any country in the Commonwealth. reading culture. Contact: Emmanuel Ankamah, Co-ordinator of Presbyterian Relief Services Kirsten is the General Services Librarian at Development [email protected], +233 the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. In 2014 the 27 7495915/233 248708867, skype: emmanuel- city will host its first ever Commonwealth ankamah, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Games, with Glasgow Life and Glasgow General Assembly Office, PO Box GP1800, Libraries working on the cultural programme Accra, Ghana in the lead up to and during the games.

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Kirsten intends to her award to complete a National Archives of Australia in Canberra, tour of Australia’s key libraries and archives and the University of Technology in Sydney. to learn about the process of building and Kirsten looks forward to meeting with a broad maintaining collections around an international range of library professionals, and members of sporting event. On Kirsten’s return, she hopes ESU Australia. that her findings will assist Glasgow libraries in designing activities around the Games that The Travelling Librarian Award is sponsored focus on reader development, education, and by the ESU and CILIP, and administered by the engagement across the community. ESU’s International Headquarters in Dartmouth House in London. For more information, visit Highlights of Kirsten’s tour will include the www.esu.org/travellinglibrarian or contact State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, the [email protected].

ILIG Business

The Survey of International Members ILIG The Anthony Thompson Award has been conducted earlier this year has been analysed made to Zakir Hossein, a Bangladeshi national by committee members, Lee Houghton and currently working in Vietnam, and the ILIG Kathleen Ladizesky. From the 178 survey Committee are trying to help overcome some forms completed there is an overwhelming visa issues to enable his Award to progress. view that there is a demand for an International Branch of CILIP with only 14 people (8%) not The Hosts Directory administered by ILIG in favour of the idea. The majority of people has been re-launched and now has 163 hosts want a dedicated section on the CILIP website, registered in over 30 countries, the online map professional development opportunities online at www.tinyurl.com/CILIPHostsMaps being and around 50% would like activities suited viewed over 5,000 times. See www.tinyurl. to members around the world and facilitated com/CILIPHostsGuide for details on how to communication between CILIP members in their become a host or to search for where you can region. The survey will be referred to the CILIP stay with a colleague in one of these countries Membership Department for consideration and for a professional visit. action. Letters to the Editor

Dear John I was fascinated to read of the association with I am writing to thank you for the latest the Founding Fathers, and inspired by the edition of Focus. I always find it lifts my spirits sections on ‘democracy and the disadvantaged’ and deepens my understanding of the values of and ‘impartiality and transparency’. I believe libraries. I was particularly moved by Nicola these values are not sufficiently understood or Packer’s article from Lusaka. George Roe’s report appreciated in this country. endorsed one of my key arguments in defence of libraries, viz, their critical role in democracy. With best wishes, Toni Franck

Focus on International Library and Information Work Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 79 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ILIG INFORMALS AND MEETINGS

ILIG is delighted to announce that Dr Saad Eskander will speak at the next ILIG informal. The Role of a National Library in a Divided Society: Iraq as an Example Date: Wednesday 11 September 2013 Time: 18:00 to 19:45 Place: CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, London, WC1E 7AE

Dr Eskander is Director of the National Archives and Library in Iraq. He is an Honorary Fellow of CILIP and also a past recipient of New York’s Scone Foundation’s Archivist of the Year Award and the MESA Academic Freedom Award. In 2010, Dr. Eskander was elected as Iraq’s representative at the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for promoting the Return of Cultural Property to the Country of their Origins. Join us for this free event by registering online at http://tinyurl.com/ILIGinformalSept2013

2013 CILIP Annual General Meeting Saturday 21 September

ILIG Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday 9 October Time: 1.30pm - 5.00pm followed by ILIG informal, topic to be announced

Seminar Public / Private Partnerships in collaboaration with Eurolis Friday 22 November 2013

Keep up-to-date with ILIG via its web pages at www.cilip.org.uk/ilig

If undelivered, please return to ILIG, c/o CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, LONDON, WC1E 7AE, UNITED KINGDOM

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