New National Library set for April grand opening

12/17/19

Source: Myanmar Times

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The National Library will open in a newly renovated historic building in downtown Yangon in April 2020 to promote learning for the good of the country, a library official said.

“The renovation of this historic building for the National Library is complete,” said Daw Yee Yee Htwe, director of the Department of Historical Research and National Library. “We plan to provide new services once the new building opens.”

“The library is not only for Yangon but for the benefit of all citizens,” she added.

The renovated building on Merchant Street in Pabedan township has new furniture and equipment. A new library management system is undergoing a detailed inspection, together with data entry and e-books, according to the President’s Office. 

State media has reported that some 42,383 rare publications, 38,083 books and 2467 sets of palm leaves inscribed with ancient literature have already been moved to the new building or are scheduled for transfer.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture has also invited bids for installation of a digital library under the management of the Yangon Region government, according to the President Office.

President U Win Myint visited the library last month to check on its progress. He said the library is intended for all citizens regardless of social status, and is located downtown to give people easy access. 

In 2016, former President U Htin Kyaw approved a Yangon Heritage Trust proposal to move the library to downtown Yangon to make the national archives more available to the public. The renovation of the historic building, which belonged to the Burma Oil Corp during the colonial era, started in August 2017. 

The library, which was located in Yankin township, has 172,556 books, 435,580 periodicals, 12,323 palm leaf manuscripts, 345 hand-written letters, and 25,468 rare books, according to the President’s Office.

Source: Myanmar Times