Burmese Reference Library Start-Up

This group is focused on starting-up a Reference Library in Yangon, Burma.

Background
Burma/Myanmar is undergoing rapid political and economic change.

The education system here however has been weakened over the last three decades owing to conflicts between university students and the military government.

Currently there is a great need for the formation of a quality (multilingual) reference library in Yangon to service the knowledge hungry local community and the growing number of expats based in the city.

Such a reference library is vital for the development of;

a. Civil Society
b. Open research activity
c. New leaders
d. Intellectuals
e. Writers
f. Thinkers
g. An educated general population

Literacy levels in Burma are quite high. Outside of online sources (hindered by slow connectivity) though, physical access to quality reading/reference material is problematic. It is widely known that many readers resort to reading in bookstalls and bookshops.

The small number of Burmese libraries I have visited are in a terrible state.

Located on the Strand in Yangon The British Council library does a stirling job at the moment serving a small local population of educated Burmese and the English speaking expat community, but clearly has its resource limitations. It is also understandably English-centric.

Where to from here?

LibrayThing Member Support
I am calling for support (resources/finance) to establish a new not-for-profit organization squarely aimed at fostering the above groups in the Burmese community through the building of a quality multilingual reference library.

Proposed Location: Mahatma Gandhi Hall - Yangon (approx 300sqm space on 2nd floor of downtown building)

I welcome LibraryThing members comments and expressions of interest at this early stage.


Please bring this group to the attention of potential supporters.

Sincerely,

Craig L Hodges
Yangon, Burma
Email: craiglesliehodges AT gmail.com