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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 Focus is published three times a year, in March, July and November. 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For further information, please contact: Kathleen Ladizesky [email protected] 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. 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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.