Libraries need to keep pace with times

The Suan Dusit poll showed that 28.46 per cent of respondents want a library to have interesting corners providing a variety of knowledge and atmosphere.

Some 27.66 per cent of respondents want a library to have hitech equipment.

Thai Library Association president Assoc Prof Dr Chutima Sacchanand said more people are going to libraries since the 'living library' concept was implemented in Thailand as it can respond to people's varying needs more than normal libraries that have only book shelves and reading areas.

In living libraries, the areas are separated to cater to visitors with different tastes and needs. There are reading, Internet and chatting areas and also beverage corners. Librarians have to adjust their role to be more active and give more advice to visitors, she said.

Living libraries offer a friendlier environment to readers, she said.

As Thai people read very little, Chutima suggested using the living library concept to improve the atmosphere at public libraries nationwide to encourage people to read more.

She added: "However, it is very hard to improve the public libraries in Thailand as it needs a much bigger budget." Her research in 2006 found that each public library received a budget of only Bt1 to Bt10 per head per year.

She would like the government to allocate a higher budget to the public libraries and place reading high on its agenda.

"In many organisations, when there are financial constraints, the first thing they will usually cut is budget for the library," Chutima said.     

Chutima spoke after an academic meeting at Read Festival at Impact Muang Thong Thani, which began on Thursday and ends today.

Up to 300,000 books from 300 shops are on offer at the festival at special prices.

Living libraries, 'Language Doctor' booth, which helps people pronounce Thai words correctly, an exhibition honouring HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, booths of academic institutions and communities that show how they apply HM the King's Sufficiency Economy theory comprise the festival.

Students can also consult officials about their problems relating to the university admission system and student loan fund.