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National Library of Myanmar

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National Library of Myanmar
အမျိုးသားစာကြည့်တိုက်
Map
19°46′31″N 96°08′27″E / 19.775166486215134°N 96.14088870886665°E / 19.775166486215134; 96.14088870886665
Location85 Thirimingala Avenue, Yankin, Myanmar
TypeNational library
Established1952 (74 years ago) (1952)
BranchesTwo
Collection
Size1.3 Million records (1.2 Million physical records, 0.1 Million digital records)[1]
Access and use
Population served
250,000[2]
Other information
Budget$1 Million USD per branch ($2 Million total)[2]
DirectorKay Thi Aye[2]
Employees60 – 120[2][3][4]
Websitewww.nlm.gov.mm

The National Library of Myanmar is the national library of Myanmar. The library operates two branches: one in Yankin Township, Yangon, and the other in Naypyidaw.

Established in 1952, the National Library, along with Universities' Central Library, is one of only two research libraries in Yangon.[5] The library houses more than 220,000 books, divided into 10 sections.[6]

The National Library's Yangon branch collection used to have about 618,000 books and periodicals as well as 15,800 rare and valuable manuscripts. However, in 2006, the military government announced a plan to move a large part of its collection to a new National Library in Nay Pyi Taw, and to auction off its 8-story building and 10-acre (4.0 ha) lot in Tamwe Township.[5] In October 2008, the National Library's Yangon Branch was moved to its current location in Yankin Township.

The library's current collection of ancient Burmese texts includes 16,066 palm-leaf manuscripts, 1972 parabaik (folded writing tablets made of paper, cloth or metal), and 345 handwritten scripts of famous writers.[6] The library's preservation and conservation section, established in 1993, regularly maintains rare Burmese manuscripts.[7] The library plans to offer an online catalogue.[6]

The National Library is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and National Libraries Group-Southeast Asia.[5]

History

[edit]

The National Library originated from the Bernard Free Library, which opened in 1883 during the British colonial era. The Bernard Library was renamed the State Library under the management of the Ministry of Culture in 1952, and changed its name to the National Library in 1967. The library was first located in the Jubilee Hall building, then moved to Pansodan Road, then relocated to its penultimate home in Tamwe, and finally moved to its present location in Yankin in October 2008.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Myanmar Country Report [Period Coverage: 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019]" (PDF). www.ndl.go.jp. 28th General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania. 18 February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d Myanmar Country Report [Period Coverage: 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023] (PDF). www.ndl.go.jp (Report). Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 30th General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania. 15 November 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 December 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  3. ^ Myanmar Country Report [Period Coverage: 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022] (PDF). www.ndl.go.jp (Report). Doha, Qatar: 29th General Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania. 1 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  4. ^ "The National Library, Myanmar Ministry of Culture". myanmar.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Yeni (10 August 2006). "Dismay Over National Library Move". The Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d Cherry Thein (27 October 2008). "National Library Moves to New Location in Yankin Township". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Background History of the National Library of Myanmar". myanmar.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2008.


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