Mobile Library Project Progress Report of the National Library of Laos, Vientiane, February 2001

Director of the National Library of Laos: Ms. Kongdeuanne Nettavong

Initial Financial Support: Santi Volunteers Association, SVA (Japan)

Project Starting Date: 1994

Awareness of Problem

The National Library of Laos is the main body responsible for the implementation of Reading Promotion projects for urban and rural communities in Laos. Before these projects began, the library services in the Vientiane area were very limited. Libraries were available only in some educational institutions and in some government offices, mainly in Vientiane, capitol of Laos. The NLL was unable to expand its branches to the provinces due to its own limited resources, inadequately qualified professional staff and a lack of organizational structure.

Therefore, prior to the commencement of the project, the NLL had already decided that certain important steps should be taken to promote reading in rural towns and villages as well as to update the existing libraries and to establish new small-scale ones. These steps were recommended as a response to request made by local authorities from provinces according to the needs assessment conducted by the Ministry of Information and Culture (MIC), in order to fight the illiteracy problem.

Decision to Start Project

The low accessibility to library services can seriously affect human resources development. Recognizing the important fact, the MIC decided to introduce a Reading Promotion Program in 1994 with valuable support from not only government organizations but also from state and private companies in the country. Since 1995 a Japanese NGO (non-governmental organization), the Santi Volunteers Association has been the main supporter of the project.

Project Objectives

The project development objectives are to promote reading in Vientiane municipality and Vientiane Province, and strengthen rural communities education to improve the quality of life.

The immediate objectives are as follows:

1) Establish small-scale libraries and provide reading material to schools in rural communities
2) Update and increase the ability to manage the mobile library for communities
3) Improve the reading promotion services by local staff

Mobilization of Resources

The NLL provides in-kind support to the project, including technical staff for implementing core project activities and administrative services.

Process

The project has been developed by the NLL after assessing the needs, and identifying desired results. Several reports have been completed in relation to the performance of the NLL, clearly identifying lessons, which have been incorporated into the project.

Results Achieved

1) Accessibility to library services for people, students and general public has been improved. During 1995-1999 the project provided services twice a month from each service point. From the year 2000, mobile series were providing once a week to each point.
2) Equipment and materials have been distributed, two small public libraries established, 23 book boxes for 23 villages distributed, 3 bus mobile services established (1 is currently in operation) and some key training for local staff completed.

Lessons Learned

The primary lesson learned is that activities can only be successful with the full support from the NLL management and close consultation and cooperation among the donors, the NLL, and the local authorities.

Conclusion and Recommendations

1) The book box program and mobile library network should be extended to cover more villages, and for the mobile library, particularly those where roads can be accessed year-round, in order to provide more opportunity to rural communities for reading.
2) Information exchange and sharing between villages should be encouraged by organizing more frequent meetings/workshops and/or through public contact activities.
3) Reading/reference materials for each library should be maintained and supplied more frequently and the quantity increased, as determined by the needs assessment
4) It is strongly recommended that all project staff attend more off-the-job training, study tours and exchange visits, in order to improve their service capabilities and gain more productivity.