Myanmar appeals for donation to rural libraries

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-26 12:35

YANGON -- Myanmar information authorities have appealed to the public to make donation to rural self-reliant libraries to help widen the scope of knowledge of the local people, according to Wednesday's New Light of Myanmar.

Donation of land buildings, fund, media equipment, books and journals to village self-reliant libraries in Yangon division is being called for, the division's Information and Public Relations Department was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

According to the sources, basic library science courses are being conducted, aimed at turning out good librarians to contribute to the development of rural self-reliant libraries.

Myanmar has extended opening of libraries to help enhance the intellectual power and knowledge of rural residents and the number of such self-reliant libraries in the rural areas has so far reached 55,755 out of over 60,000 villages, thanks to the combined efforts of the government and the local people as well as the contribution of well-wishers, according to the official media.

Meanwhile, Myanmar strove to launch a digital reference library to promote research on modern Myanmar literature and compilation has been underway since late 2004 on a database containing information of over 300 authors including biographies of some famous authors.

The digital reference library will serve as a comprehensive source of information about Myanmar literature from the 20th century to the contemporary era, according to local journalists.

To encourage preservation and promotion of literary and cultural heritage, the Myanmar government annually presents literary awards to successful winners.

Besides, the Sarpay Beikman (Myanmar Translation Society), established in 1947, has published numerous magazines, lexicons, illustrated journals and volumes of Myanmar encyclopedia as well as extends its manuscript award to literary talents every year.