Coordination meeting: Matters for development of libraries discussed

The coordination meeting of the Collaboration Committee for Myanmar Libraries Development was held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon on the 6th of May.

The meeting was attended by the Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, Deputy Ministers from relevant Ministries and senior officials in person and Chairman of Myanmar Libraries Foundation, Chairman of Myanmar Writers Association, Vice Chair of Myanmar Library Association and officials through online.

Speaking at the meeting, the Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn said that the Chairman of State Administration is focusing on acceleration of reading habit and development of libraries. The donation ceremony of books and journals to the libraries across the country was held at Nay Pyi Taw National Library and libraries in regions and states on 10th April simultaneously.

From the donation, over a billion Kyat of cash donation and 85,540 books and journals could be accepted.As it's required to carry out the systematic use of cash donation and books accepted, acquiring cash donation and books again and the SAC Chairman’s principle on the acceleration of reading habit concurrently, the Collaboration Committee for Myanmar Libraries Development was formed on 22nd April after submitting to the SAC and seeking approval.

As the work for the development of libraries is a sustainable process, it’s needed to implement with four processes and donation ceremonies in the regions and states are required to hold monthly to receive the further fund. The discussion and collaboration are invited for all attendees for the process of developing libraries across the country. At the ceremonies of cash donation and books donation held on 3rd and 10th April, the head of State elaborated that the illiterate one is just like the one who is sitting, the one who is literate but does not read is like the one who is standing and the one who is literate and reads the books is like the one who is walking.

As the 70% of population of the country live in rural area, it’s needed to support the libraries to be able to access the books by those population in the rural areas etc.Next, the committee secretary Deputy Minister U Ye Tint clarified the work process to be implemented for the development of libraries.Then, the committee members Deputy Ministers Daw Nu Mra Zan, Dr. Moe Zaw Tun, Nay Pyi Taw Council member and regions and states Minister for social affairs clarified the related matters.

Next, the Chair of Myanmar Libraries Foundation, Chair of Myanmar Writers Association and Vice Chair discussed the matters on the sustainability of the libraries and acceleration of reading habit.After coordinating requirements, the Union Minister gave a speech of conclusion.