Reaching out through a mobile library

Sujin Butdisuwan

Academic Resource Center

Mahasarakham University
Thailand

Paper

1. Introduction

Educated manpower is one of the most crucial needs of any country. In developing
countries where there is frequently a shortage of physical, and skilled manpower may
be even more crucial. Thailand has emphasized manpower development from the First
National Plan. To date the Development Plans have not been very successful because
Thailand still face poverty, ill health, and literacy problems of its population.

Due to the fact that the majority of its population, over 85%, is living in rural areas,
the main occupation of the rural people is agriculture, and the average income of these
people is still very low. The experts have pinpointed that illiteracy is one of primary
causes of these problems especially in rural and low economic communities.

In order to increase the living standards of the rural dwellers, the government of
Thailand has as its goals, the promotion of education, and the eradication of illiteracy.
Information is considered a means to solve the mentioned problems. To fulfill the
goals, various organizations and agencies are responsible for carrying out the Thai
government policy. There are the Department of Non-Formal Education, Ministry of
Education; the Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior, The
National Security Command, Ministry of Defense; and some universities and private
organizations. Among these, the Department of Non-formal Education takes a leading
role.

2. Mobile libraries

2.1 Clarification
The term "mobile library" may be considered as all travelling or movable library
activities in any formats such as large enclosed trucks or vans or large motor vehicles
equipped with shelves and a staff enclosure to visit rural districts or remote areas
where there is no other library service at specific times on a certain day or days of the
week. The libraries may choose their books from the shelves to extend to villages, and
isolates farms and houses.

2.2 Justification

Librarianship is a profession that is associated with service, it is the moral and ethical
ramifications of this service that make a profession not just a career but a calling, a
calling to social responsibility. At present, all libraries are showing a good deal of
interest in social responsibility. They become active in adult literacy at local and
national levels. They share their resources and services to support education and
lifelong learning particularly in productive training for citizenship; to help people
make intelligent decisions and lead to more enlightened lives.

The concern for a quality society is another major issue of the day. More and more
people are becoming actively involved with the problems. The concept of public
education for every citizen leads to inexorably to the democratization of education and
direct responses to community needs.

So most libraries are taking an additional role to reach all those who are not normal
library patrons, to build socially oriented information systems, and to provide
challenging materials. Mobile libraries become a means of this role.

2.3 Types of a mobile library

There are various forms of mobile libraries in Thailand depending on the

circumstances of the sites to be served. A horse-cart, engine boats, motorcycles, or
book vans and the like have been used to carry books, reading materials, and audio-
visual materials in packages, boxes, or bags to schools, factories, hospitals, hotels,
temples, train stations, and the village reading centers.

The following are examples of mobile libraries operated in Thailand especially those
operated by the Department of Non-formal Education. Some are from other
institutions such as universities and library schools.

Mobile Train Library

Responsible Agency
Informal Education Promotion Center, Department of Non-Formal Education,
Ministry of Education

Background
The Ministry of Education in the present Government has concrete policy to develop
education in such a way that learns has virtue and ability to learn through their whole
lives in a happy manner by themselves. This viewpoint is consistent with the principle
of the 1997 Constitution of the Thai Kingdom which is regarded as a step to
significant educational re-engineering of our country.

Since quite a number of Thai people still lack educational opportunities to attend
formal schooling systems even though the government sectors have made a lot of
efforts to conduct education programs in various ways to all people throughout the
country as much as they can. However, it is unlikely for self-learning access of people
in remote areas even if they are eager to learn. In addition, we can not deny that most
Thai people still lack reading habits. That is - they have neither been encouraged nor
trained to read and search for knowledge by themselves since childhood. All of these
factors inevitably obstruct their learning development to ultimate goals, resulting in
solving national problems like economic crisis which our country is confronting with.

It is necessary to develop the models of service on reading promotion, obtaining

information and self-learning of people in various methods suitable to the target
groups. Available resources must be utilized in an uttermost way for people are
learning. The mobile train library is then considered another model of informal
education activity which can considerably respond to the above mentioned intentions.

Objectives

1. To expand learning opportunities and create reading habits of people of all

walks of life thoroughly.
2. To promote people to spend their time during the train trips in a useful, and
enjoyable manner by reading various kinds of books in the train library.
3. To originate a new learning model which creates proper atmospheres and
surroundings responding to the needs of target groups.

Target Groups

1. Commuters of Railway Authority of Thailand at platforms and on the trains

2. Children, pupils, students and people settled nearby railway stations or
junctions where train compartments can be parked for giving services.
Type of Services

1. Open libraries: They are organized for train commuters at platforms. At the
beginning about 5-10 open libraries will be established as a pilot project with
the cooperation between provincial or district non-formal education centers and
target railway stations. Activities undertaken in the Open libraries are as
follows.
I. Provide commuters with books and other kinds of printed materials
donated and supported by various organizations such as Office of the
Narcotics Control Board, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperative and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.
II. Set up information bulletin boards or exhibitions on issues relating with
target groups. Examples are health, labor laws, culture, traditions or
vocational guidance, etc.
III. Present broadcasting or video programs on education and entertainment.
IV. Demonstrate entrepreneurial courses or interest group markets at the
prime time.
V. Organize groups discussing issues they are interested in such as dangers
in cities, job applications, etc.
VI. Conduct other appropriate activities.
2. Book shelves: The Railway State Authority of Thailand has designed, built and
installed book shelves on the racks of ordinary and rapid train compartments.
The Department of Non-Formal Education will invite private sectors to provide
donated books for the RSAT. At the beginning, this project will be launched at
3 routes, namely the south, north and northeast.
3. Mobile train libraries: Unused train compartments but still in good condition
are decorated as mobile libraries and learning centers that resemble library
vans. There are various learning activities available in the compartments such
as books, audio-visual aids, exhibitions, learning groups, and reading
promotion activities. At the beginning, two mobile train libraries will be
launched in the northern and northeastern routes.

Each mobile train library compartment connected with a large train is parked at
a target railway station to serve people living along both sides of the rails for 1-
2 days. Then it will keep on moving to next railway station until it returns to
the same route. There will be 2 volunteer teachers (temporary employees) on
duty for each time with the cooperation and support from the provincial and
district non-formal education centers in the vicinity.

Project Duration
Since September 1999
Concerned Organizations

1. Railway State Authority of Thailand

2. Foundations
3. Private sectors

Expected Outcomes

1. Children and youths as well as train commuters will spend their leisure during
the train trips in a beneficial manner.
2. Mobile train libraries' target groups will have more reading habits.
3. Mobile train libraries' target groups will apply knowledge gained from reading
as a fundamental to analyze various matters more reasonably.

Mobile Bus Library

Background
As we have already known that the main purpose of the Department of Non-Formal
Education is to promote formal schooling system and provide non-formal and
informal education. Informal Education Promotion Center is a DNFE's division that
conducts various kinds of informal education activities for people of all walks of life.
This also includes mobile bus libraries that play a major role to create and develop
learning skills to children, youths and public. They provide numerous types of
learning materials such as printed, artificial, and exhibition materials, textbooks, non-
formal education learning packages and electronic materials to community people
particularly to those living in slum areas and to less developed communities in
Bangkok. Moreover, the mobile bus libraries ran assist people to keep pace with
today's necessarily fundamental knowledge. This includes family education, health,
democracy, environmental education, daily life basic laws and entertainment news.
Several types of learning activities are organized in the mobile bus libraries as well.

Objectives

1. To organize learning activities and encourage children, youths and general

public to acquire their knowledge from various types of learning materials.
2. To upgrade the quality of life of the disadvantaged children, youths and people
in slum areas, in small enterprises and in construction sites within Bangkok.

Implementation
1. Seek a distribution from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority for 3 good
conditioned- commuter buses which are not in used now.
2. Repair the buses by painting and redecorating them in such a way that they can
be used as a learning center with learning atmosphere by sticking mottoes about
reading promotion and creation of reading habits.
3. Provide the Public with printed and electronics learning materials by getting
financial support from the government budget and initiate books and learning
materials donation program to receive distribution from general people, firms,
private sectors and publishing houses for giving service in the mobile bus
libraries.
4. Cooperate with private sectors, companies, general people and as well as those
who would like to have participation in promoting and supporting reading
habits of children, youths and people to donate educational equipment
including bookshelves, television sets, video, and audio tape recorders,
computers, etc.
5. Supply teaching and learning materials for decorating each of the five
commuter-buses suitably with its specific target groups as follows :

Buses No.1-2 are decorated for serving children, youths and general

public living in slum areas, in construction sites and in other
foundations.

Materials and activities

1. Printed materials: These include books served for specific target

groups such as books creating intelligence and various skills to
children, cartoons, books about drugs, literatures. Translated
stories, texts on occupations, family education, handicrafts,
recipes, etc. Mobile library members can borrow all of these
printed materials to read at home.
2. Electronics materials: These consist of video presentation on
general documentaries about drugs, AIDS, and occupations while
the Thaicom satellite programs suitable to the specific target
group present games increasing children's and youths' intelligence
on English, Thai and mathematics.
3. Educational toys: These are games, jigsaws, storytelling games
and puppets.
4. Exhibitions on AIDS, drugs, election, occupations, etc.
5. Giving guidance services on education and occupations.

Buses No.3-4 are decorated for serving non-formal education learners at

their group meeting places e.g. schools, temples, firms, enterprises, etc.
 Materials and activities

6. Printed materials: These include books served for specific target

groups such as non-formal education learning packages,
supplementary books of various subjects, books for entertainment,
e.g. short stories, fictions, translated stories, books about
occupations, democracy, family education and public health.
7. Electronics materials: These include learning materials from CAI
package which enable learners to test their own knowledge by
themselves and video programs presenting various subjects at all
levels.
8. Exhibitions on AIDS, drugs, elections, occupations, etc.
Sometimes there will be resource persons to give specific
knowledge.
9. Giving guidance services on further studies and occupations.

Bus No 5 is decorated for serving general public in parks.

Materials and activities

10.Printed materials: These are books about health, exercise,

meditation, diet selection, sports, how to spend free time usefully
and books concerning academics and entertainment.
11.Movable materials used for exercise: These are drumbeats, rubber
loops, badminton, chess, etc.
12.Electronics materials: These are video programs on various kinds
and ways of exercises.
13.Invite resource persons from Ministry of Health to give lectures
and display exhibitions to NFE personnel on proper ways of
getting exercises, and taking care of one's health.

Mobile Floating Library

Responsible Agency
Informal Education Promotion Center, Department of Non-Formal Education,
Ministry of Education, Thailand

Background
Informal education plays a crucial role for life long education promotion. However,
all activities carried out by the government have recently not been distinctively
fruitful because learners are not yet encouraged to develop and practice learning by
themselves which is regarded as the core of education. Hence, we must encourage
learners to learn practical tennis by letting them assimilate their knowledge with real
life situations. This will assist learners to find out proper ways to learn by themselves,
analyze and understand problems they confront and get in touch from direct
experiences generating new mode of learning.

Mobile floating libraries can provide learning activities for people living on both river
banks with numerous types of learning materials available in the mobile floating
libraries such as books, video tapes, computers, exhibitions, etc. They can also learn
from direct experiences by contacting with real situations that take place in main
rivers such as the Chao Phraya. This makes learners have common sense towards
environment conservation, love and be proud of the civilization of the rivers
influencing upon their lives and eagerly take part in the conservation and
rehabilitation of watery natural resources and environments, which is consistent with
the 1997 Constitution of Thai Kingdom, Articles 56 and 69 that state as follows:

"�Individuals are entitled to participate in the government policy and their

communities to observe natural resources and environments and utilize the
natural resources for their living happily and continuously�"

Objectives

1. Expand services on reading promotion activities and learning from various

types of materials to people living nearby rivers to use services conveniently
and thoroughly.
2. Conduct learning experiences from real life situations concerning the
civilization of rivers and watery environments to people of all walks of life in
order to make them aware of imminent problems and take part in the
conservation of natural resources.

Quantitative Goals

1. Learning materials and curriculum

I. Provide at least 5,000 books for circulation in each mobile boat library
II. Set up at least 100 tapes of video programs and other supplementary
learning materials suitable with learners' needs and interests.
III. Conduct teaching and learning curriculum or training at least on three
topics of the followings:
a. The civilization of waters
b. Problems of watery environments
c. Conservation of watery resources
 d. Environmental conservation volunteers
e. Guides and river tours
2. Target groups
I. Pupils, students and general public
II. People living nearby the Chao Phraya River and others
III. Underprivileged children and youths at least 20,000 people are served
annually.
3. Services
I. Giving services at least 5 days a week.
II. Lending members books and other reading materials.
III. Providing education or training programs of various curriculum.

Qualitative Goals

1. Target groups settled down along or beyond the Choa Phraya river areas and
others in remote areas will have more opportunity to access services from the
mobile floating library in a suitable manner.
2. The learning model of watery civilization and resource conservation will be
developed to an effective learning process resulting in real practice.

Models of Services

1. Mobile floating library: It is served as a general public library where its users
can read, apply for library membership and borrow books to read outside the
library for 7-21 days. The mobile floating library provides library services for
people in the boat and on the lands at some appropriate places such as temples,
community areas, etc.
2. It is conducted as a floating classroom for a short course of 4-6 hours, where
40-100 earners can be served at a time with teaching and learning activities or
trainings according to various curricula. There will be evaluation and
presentation of diplomas or certificates.

Project Implementation

1. Preparation
I. Repair and decorate three boats, namely Nang Noppamas, Naval
Transportation Department's boat No1215 and Maharaj in such a way
that they are in good condition and ready to give services.
II. Provide learning materials as targeted.
III. Develop learning and teaching syllabuses or training courses.
IV. Prepare a dock for parking mobile floating libraries where activities and
services can be carried out suitably for the target groups.
 V. Set up competent personnel to run the project comprising academics,
resource persons, trainers, audio-visual staffs, library officials,
mechanics and sailors.
2. Implementation
I. Disseminate mobile floating library activities.
II. Cooperate with governmental, private and business sectors for seeking
help and financial support for the project.
III. Coordinate a work-plan with other sectors such as educational
institutions, private organizations, temples and communities for planning
service schedules.
IV. Implement the work-plan.
3. Evaluation
I. Write down a daily report and make a weekly report about
implementation results in order to conclude a monthly service report.
II. Conduct an evaluation of the implementation every 4 months.
III. Make a conclusion and evaluate the project annually.

Related Agencies

1. Royal Thai Navy Force

2. Social and Economic Policies Institute
3. National Library
4. Governmental, private and business organizations and foundations

Budget Allocation

1. Budget allocation for public libraries and learning networks

I. Repair cost for 3 boats
II. Reading materials cost
III. Implementation cost
2. Supplementary budget support from foundations and private sectors for
equipment and boat decorations

Expected Outcomes

1. People settled down along the Chao Phraya River will have a reading habit and
be fond of learning by themselves increasingly.
2. The DNFE will obtain an appropriate mode of foaming activities concerning
wat civilization and resource conservation.
3. Public networks for natural resource conservation will be created concretely.

 
2.4 Book Mobiles Operated by Universities and library schools

There are quite a few numbers of projects known as community information services
offered by the university. The main reason to offer the services is due to the mission
of the university. One mission of all universities in Thailand is to provide their
services to the community. They consider that people living in the community are
taxpayers who deserve supports from the universities as well. So university libraries
carry out the university mission by extending their services to the community through
mobile libraries..

Following are mobile libraries projects operated by the university and library schools.

Mobile Library Services for the Hill Tribe Community Project offered by
the Chiang Mai University Library.
This project aims to assist the hill tribe in speaking, reading and writing Thai language
which would help them toward better understanding and good attitude on Thai
national identity as we as to upgrade their living standard. The Central Library
operates the mobile library service to 2 destinations at Doi Inthanon and Doi Angkang
once a week. The activities include reading promotion, story telling, puppet show,
slide show, movie show, and games.
Book Mobile Project offered by the Department of Library and
Information, Chiang Mai University.
This project provides reading materials and reading promotion activities to primary
schools in Chiang Mai district and well as other surrounding districts such as Mae
Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, San Kampaeng, and Hang Dong. This projected started
in 1989.
Book Mobile Program offered by the Department of Library and
Information Science, Khon Kaen University
The program has been carried out for more than 15 years with the aims to promote
reading habits and to provide reading materials to rural children in the Northeastern
Thailand.
The Portable Libraries Project by the Department of Library and
Information Science, Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmitr
This project aims to provide young people in rural areas of Thailand, who have
virtually no access to books, with information and interesting reading materials. The
Portable Library consists of a compact book box, which is used for transportation, as a
display shelf and storage container. About 100 books can be packed in a box. A brief
guide on how to use the books and the box is provided together with an evaluation
sheet. The books and boxes are funded by donation from individuals and
organizations.
 Book for Children - Project offered by Srinakharinwirot University in
Bangkok
This project has as its goals the selection and distribution of recreation books of
quality to libraries in rural communities and schools lacking in financial support. The
project activities and programs are developed in cooperation with local groups, such
as educational institutions, associations and charity groups. The "Children's Literature
Show Case" was launched to be a companion project to the Books for Children
Project. The activities include a display of children books from various publishing
houses sales of books at reduced prices, and reading promotion activity.
The Traveling Exhibition of Books for Young Readers: an outreach
activity conducted by the Central Library, Srinakarinwirot University,
Bangkok
The Central Library, being a member of the UNESCO Network of Associated
Libraries (UNAL),initiated this outreach service. Books on international
understanding, peace, environment and other world concerns are displayed, story-told,
dramatized and offered for wide reading to children in the rural areas. Books are
displayed in pockets (similar to shoe-bag racks). The pockets are made of cloth or
fertilizer bags in different sizes and can be folded to a hand-carry size. They are light
but strong and flexible for displays in various settings-hung along walls, corridor,
fences and between trees. A 2x2 meter rack can display 100-150 books and twice the
number when both sides are used. Workshops are arranged for teachers, librarians and
volunteers on how to make books come alive. A set of books contained in the
Traveling Exhibition is left with the school for use in the library or for rotating among
several school libraries.
Knowledge for Kids Project offered by the Office of Documentation and
Information, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU)
The project has been run since 1987 by the Office of Documentation and Information
to promote reading habits among children. At the beginning, selected children books
were purchased and distributed to the primary schools within the University's
neighborhood. Later, the project was further developed. More books are funded and
donated by STOU staff members. Today, portable boxes containing selected books
and games are left with and rotated among different schools. Most of them are schools
where students lack reading opportunities such as disadvantage children and orphan
schools and primary schools in remote rural areas. The project has proved to be
popular with the children.
Information to Rural Children offered by the Academic Resource Center
and the Department of Library and Information Science, Mahasarakhaam
University
The Academic Resource Center in cooperation with The Department of LIS has
organized a mobile library service for children and youths in rural areas. This project
started in 1981 as a Summer Program for Children, and as Toward Rural Children in
1985. At present, this project extends its services to all age groups in rural
communities in Northeastern Thailand. The main purposes of project are:

 to ensure permanent literacy among primary school pupils and semi-literate

adults
 to promote reading habits among children and adults in the rural communities
to increase the quality of life
 to provide access to information and technology which are relevant and useful
to rural living
 to increase children's and adults' appreciation of local cultural identities
 to increase the spirit of community living and cooperation among children and
adults

Contents and Activities

Acaptivities are divided into 2 sessions. The morning session is divided into groups of
individual subjects, the afternoon session deals with general activities such as songs
and games, demonstration, and puppet shows.

The following is a list of subject areas covered by each group.

Group 1 : Literature
Examples of activities were 1) story telling utilizing pictures, children's books
and ropes, 2) story telling competition by school children in the targeted
clusters, 3) circulation of children and easy books.

Group2 : Geography
Examples of activities were 1, "Soi-dao" (Word rearranged from cut-outs): 2)
telling stories related to geography, travel, forestry and natural resources: 3)
map reading: 4) display of various means of transportation: 5) sentence-
forming games and songs.

Group 3 : Democracy
Examples of activities were 1) puppet show entitled "Living Together in A
Democracy Society": 2) story telling with puppetry and children's books: 3)
answering question from books: role-playing for children and adults using
themes related to democracy: 5) singing contests using songs related to
democracy: 6) displays of knowledge and information on democracy.

Group 4 : History
Examples of activities were 1) story telling: 2) picture-connecting games
requiring participants to read information on the back of each picture: 3)
singing related to history using handouts: 4) painting and coloring pictures of
important historical figures: 5) picture-guessing games using portraits of
historical figures and cultural scenes: 6) exhibition and displays depicting Isan
traditions.

Group 5 : Mathematics
Examples of activities were 1) arithmetic songs using either a tape recorder or
handouts; 2) mathematics games such as little tiger's adventure, mysterious
circles. Money card connecting, picture connecting, basic number counting
practice: 3) math quizzes; 4) mathematical instrument displays.

Group 6 : Language
Examples of activities were 1) games: 2) word rhyme connecting: 3) synonym
connecting: synonym matching: 5) word guessing games using picture puzzles:
6) action singing: 7) "What's the Missing Letter?" : a word game: 8)
distribution of Children's books for later story sharing.

Group 7 : Home-economics
Examples of activities were 1) a demonstration on how to make soybean milk;
2)a demonstration on how to make drink form Takrai (lemon grass); 3) hints
and suggestions on how to preserve food.

Group 8 : Audio-visual Materials and Equipment

Examples of activities were 1) preview a cartoon movie entitled "Superman IV"
with scripts: slides on the development of various types of technology: 3)
games: 4) quizzes on information technologies: 5) exhibition on technologies
with written explanations: 6) reading instructions how to use household
appliance.

Group 9 : Music
Examples of activities were 1) display of pictures and information on musical
instruments: reading about various types of music: 3) playing Isan musical
instruments: Ponglang, Kan, etc: singing competition: 5) distribution of reading
materials on music and musical instruments for later question-anwere activities.

Group 10 : Arts
Examples of activities were 1) exhibition on printing from natural materials and
making handicrafts from used materials; 2) story re-telling of "The Joy of
Learning" and "Uncle Teng"; 3) circulation of books on arts; 4) practicing on
"Creative Ideas for Handicraft Making" using vegetables and fruits; 5) drawing
and coloring pictures; 6) Japanese paper folding (Origami) following the
instructions.
 Group 11 : Songs and Games
Examples of activities were 1) word games; 2) question-answer games based
on information from books distributed; 3) Mon-Son-Pa Game (An Isan Hide
and Seek Game); 4) The Acid Sea Game; 5) the Horseback Riding Game; 6)
the Rafting Game; 7) the Commander Game; 8) Pantomime based on songs.

Group 12 : Buddhism
Examples of activities were 1) re-arranging words to make religious proverbs;
2) riddles on Isan tradition; 3) quizzes on Buddhism (participants with correct
answers to at least ten questions will be rewarded with jackpot throwing; 4)
singing along with provided scripts; 5) drawing pictures on various aspects of
Buddhism from imagination with complete descriptions.

Base 13 : Health and Personal Hygiene

Examples of activities were 1) quizzes on health information; 2) games; 3)
exhibition on health cares; 4) exhibition on appropriate tooth brushing; 5)
distribution of information on groups of main food and exercises.

Group 14 : Puppetry
Examples of activities were 1) story telling using puppets; 2) demonstration on
how to make easy puppets; 3) displays of various types of puppets in stories for
children; 4) story telling practice using puppets made; 5) songs and games
using puppets.

Group 15 : The Information for Community

Examples of activities were 1) Exhibition and distribution of know-how
information on agriculture, family planning, health care, etc.; 2) songs and
games; 3) demonstration how to make coconut-coated peanut.

Please note that 1) most activities in each group places special emphasis on reading,
that is children books, scripts, handouts, instructions, and other reading materials are
distributed to the participants prior performing each activity; 2) the participants are
allowed to attend activities as they like.

Following the morning session, all participants enjoy activities performed on the
central stage. The activities include folk music and dances performed by students
from the university and from the local schools, demonstration of concerned topics,
singing contest, competition of stories retold from books distributed, competition of
general knowledge among school children in the school cluster. At the end of each
trip, an evaluation is made.

 
3. Conclusion

Mobile libraries are operated by various organizations in various forms. No matter

what they are, the main purpose is similar, that is to reach out those who have less
opportunity to access to information and regular services offered in the library. It is
the social responsibility role of most libraries and organizations concerned.